TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF CLAXBY PARISH HISTORY 1801 ~ 1901 by Rex C. Russell 1901 ~ 2000 by Elizabeth Holmes

CONTENTS

1901 - 2000 1801 - 1901 1 Introduction 35 1 Introduction 5 2 Village Organisation, Housing and Services 37 2 Schools and Changes in Literacy 7 3 Agriculture 46 3 Methodism in the Parish 10 4 Transport 51 4 Earning a Living 11 5 Education 55 5 Claxby Farmworkers and their Families 15 6 Leisure, Entertainment and Sport 59 6 The Church of in Claxby 17 7 Life for Women 64 7 The Yarborough Estate and Claxby 21 8 Birth, Sickness and Health 67 8 Claxby Ironstone Mine 21 9 Religion 69 Appendices 30 10 Law and Order 74

11 Politics 75

12 Claxby in the Two World Wars 77

First Published 2002 by Claxby Parish Council

All rights reserved. No reproduction without the prior permission of the Authors. © Rex Russell and Elizabeth Holmes 2002

Design, layout and typesetting by Ubiquitous Utilities, Cooks lane, Nettleton LN7 6NL

Print by G. W. Belton Ltd, Printers, Heaton Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2ED

ISBN 0-9543072-0-8 An extract from White’s 1842 Lincolnshire Directory PREFACE

This book was born in a suggestion from Rex Russell to informal and no oral information. For the twentieth Claxby Parish Council that a history of the village would be century, however, statistical information broken down to a suitable project to mark the millenium. Rex offered to village level is scarce, census information is protected for 100 write the 1800 to 1901 chapters and invited Elizabeth years. Elizabeth Holmes therefore has relied on newspapers Holmes to prepare the 1901 to 2000 chapters. The Parish and the extensive memories of past and present residents of Council agreed and this volume records the life in the village Claxby and surrounding villages as well as parish records. In for the last 200 years. For Elizabeth Holmes this was a new addition it is difficult to write objectively about recent experience and she has received enormous help, advice and history. There are still too many different opinions to have encouragement from Rex. a clear view of the immediate past. She has tried to give facts The two sections are different in content and style not up to the end of the century but has concentrated mainly on only because they are the result of different authors. For the the first 60 or 70 years. For the delay in publication, nineteenth century, statistical information forms the greater Elizabeth Holmes is to blame. She had no idea of what she part of the sources available. There is relatively little was taking on! Rex Russell Elizabeth Holmes April 2002

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Rex Russell wishes to thank Caroline Adamson for Hunter who recorded the memories of her father, John research conducted into the parish registers. Elizabeth , Trevor Lyle, Nora Maddison, Arthur Maultby, Holmes wishes to acknowledge the assistance given by staff Joyce , Alice Nickson, Alex Randall, Joan Russell, at the Lincolnshire Archives, the Lincolnshire Library, Michael and Mary Sharp, George and Phyllis Surfleet, John Library and the Mail. We are and Pat Tolliday, Alan Wilkinson, Les and Eileen Wilkinson, grateful for permission to quote extensively from the Market Eileen Wilmot, Pam Whitwell and Bill Woods. Rasen Mail and to use photgraphs from the Market Rasen The cost of designing and printing the history has been Mail, the Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Lincolnshire met from grants from the Rural Community Projects Fund, Chronicle and many local residents. Elizabeth Holmes has jointly funded by the Development Agency received great help from the following residents and past Rural Development Programme (50%) and the European residents of this and other villages: Rene Barton, John and Union European Development Fund (50%), Awards for All Margaret Brant, Motley and Corinne Brant, John and and the Marc Fitch Fund. Many thanks to Geoff Goddard Dorothy Bristow, Dorothy Brumby, George Brumby, for the design and preparation of the manuscript. Kathleen Bunford, Kath Burrell, Kitty Combs, Anita

PHOTOGRAPHS

The photographs used in this history have come from reflected in their reproduction in this book. In spite of this many different sources. Some have been copied from private it was thought worthwhile to include those pictures that are collections, from newspapers and libraries. The quality of somewhat less than perfect. the source material has been very variable and this is AN OUTLINE OF 19TH CENTURY CLAXBY HISTORY Rex C. Russell

1801 Population, 136 1853 Joint annual value of Church livings - Claxby and 1811 Population, 159 Normanby - £844. Tithe Rents - Claxby £567, Normanby £316. “The School for the two parishes ... is supported Before 1813 Claxby parish had joined by the lord of the manors, and the farmers, who SOCIETY OF INDUSTRY (founded by William Dixon of have lately erected a neat house for the master.” ): Claxby could send its poor to the (White’s Directory, 1856). Workhouse (House of Industry) on Caistor Moor 1861 Population 237 ( a decrease since 1851). 1862 Date of building PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL (now the Village Hall). 1821 Population, 184 1868 IRONSTONE MINES begin in Claxby and 1829 A Day School and a Sunday School are started Normanby 1831 Population, 205 1871 Population increased to 357 (with influx of 1835 Education Enquiry: “One Daily School, in which miners). 10 males and 13 females receive instruction at the 44 ironstone workers live in Claxby. expense of their parents. One Sunday School - 1870-71 Major restoration of the dilapidated church by with 12 males and 4 females taught gratuitously; architect of Louth. Rectory house these Schools commenced in 1829.” considerably altered and enlarged. Cost of church 1836 First Wesleyan Methodist Chapel erected. restoration £1600 “... the Earl of Yarborough 1837 Claxby becomes part of CAISTOR POOR LAW (proprietor of all the land except the glebe farm) UNION (one of 76 parishes). having given all the new stone and the sand 1841 Population, 220 required for the building, in addition to a 1847 Claxby TITHE AWARD. Tithes commuted to subscription of £350 ...” an annual Tithe Rent payable to the rector - £304 1871 Church re-opened on 8 June 1871. Large (increased to £567 by 1856: White’s Directory). assembly of clergy and gentry. “At about 10.30 1848 The Railway opens. a.m. the Bishop of Lincoln with all the clergy ... 1851 Population, 262 perambulated the grounds around the church, (highest population until Ironstone Mines start). being headed by the choir singing hymns ...” 1851 Religious Census Attendance at Wesleyan 1881 Population decreased to 325. Now only 19 Chapel - 75 in general congregation plus 40 ironstone workers in Claxby. Sunday School pupils. St Mary’s Church, usual 1891 Population diminished to 226 (down by 131 attendance about 60. from 1871): no miners resident in Claxby. (No Primitive Methodist Chapel yet built). 1894 Parish Councils created 1901 Population 237 (Population in 1981, 162). 1904 New Wesleyan Chapel built.

How many people in Claxby were born in the parish?

1851 1871 1881 1891

Total Population 262 357 325 226

Number born in Claxby 104 40% 97 27% 107 33% 91 40% Number born elsewhere in Lincolnshire 140 53% 144 40% 181 56% 116 51% Number born in other English counties 15 6% 90 25% 33 10% 17 8% 1. CLAXBY PARISH 1801 TO 1901 Rex C. Russell

1 INTRODUCTION

Before we deal with changes in parish history in the last When Queen Victoria came to the throne in 1837 a century, it is essential to recall that the background to the broadsheet sold at that time began:- lives of nineteenth century parishioners was harsh: the first fifty years were particularly oppressive. In 1800 we were at “Welcome now Victoria, welcome to the throne, war with revolutionary France: this war had started in 1793 May all the trades begin to stir and was not to end until 1815. It affected everybody in Now you are Queen of England, Lincolnshire: food prices went up and up; every parish had For your most gracious Majesty to provide men for service in the Militia. Many men joined May see what wretched poverty Volunteer forces such as the Legion and Is to be found on England’s ground the Market Rasen Volunteer Cavalry. Now you are Queen of England.” The criminal laws were exceedingly harsh as these sentences passed at Quarter Sessions reveal:- People in nineteenth century Claxby lived in a harsh century. There were four main changes in the lives of people 29 July 1814 living in Claxby in the nineteenth century. These were: John Air alias Winter sentenced to death for stealing four ewes and four lambs at Nettleton. Firstly the big increase and subsequent decline in the Reprieved / transported for life. numbers of people living in the parish. In the first fifty years 3 November 1820 Claxby’s population almost doubled: from 136 in 1801 up Lancelot Lidgard, late of Caistor, labourer, to 262 in 1851. It increased still further, with the influx of convicted of stealing a waistcoat and a pair of ironstone miners, to 357 in 1871; by 1901 the population leather boots from ... : seven years’ had fallen to 237 (it was only 162 in 1981 and had been yet transportation. smaller - 145 in 1971). 29 April 1825 The fast rise in population was in line with both national John Stephenson, late of Caistor, labourer, and Lincolnshire trends. The main reason for this was the convicted of stealing one black leather pocket regular excess of births over deaths and this shows clearly in book ... to be transported for seven years. Caroline Adamson’s research which follows. The subsequent 26 April 1846 decline in numbers in Claxby was partly due to the closure “Jas. White, 15, John M’Intyre, 14, Sarah of the ironstone mines and partly to migration and Stevenson, 11, and Sarah Wilson, 15, were emigration. indicted for stealing at ... two pair of wellington shoes, value 12s., ... Guilty, each Secondly there was the major change from a partially seven years’ transportation.” literate population to an almost wholly literate one. This was a social as well as an educational change. Again Caroline Between 1800 and 1849, no fewer than 89,617 men and Adamson’s research makes this clear. 13,431 women were transported from Great Britain to Australia. (There were no return tickets.) Thirdly the establishment of Methodism in the parish. In the 1830s and 1840s there was periodic unrest within The first Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in 1836: next Lincolnshire and this often took the form of incendiarism, a Primitive Methodist chapel (the present village hall) in the deliberate burning of stacks. The Lincoln, Rutland and 1862, followed by the new Wesleyan chapel on a new site in Stamford Mercury, the main county newspaper, reported on 1904. Methodism contributed to a religious, social and 10th December 1830:- cultural change in Claxby. It was a challenge to the existing social order as well as a powerful challenge to the Church of “The panic among the Lincolnshire farmers is universal, England. particularly such as have threshing machines on their premises. Many have received threatening letters; and the Fourthly the starting and ending of Ironstone Mining - breaking of machines and conflagration of property, form beginning in 1868 and ending a little before 1890. The the unvarying theme of conversation amongst all ranks of influx of forty-four miners into the parish clearly altered the society ... the magistrates are on the alert, and are actively nature of Claxby - but only for about 20 years. engaged in swearing in the principal householders of every village as special constables, for the protection of property We will deal with these four changes in some detail. ...”

5 POPULATION GROWTH AND DECLINE A national census was taken every ten years from 1801. Changes in Claxby were as follows:- Date of Census Total Population Change 1801 136 1811 159 +23 1821 184 +25 1831 205 +21 1841 220 +15 1851 262 +42 1861 237 -25 (the first decline) 1871 357 +120 (influx of miners) 1881 325 -32 1891 226 -99 1901 237 +11

Parishioners were always on the move, people moved into careers. Teachers moved frequently especially as more and the village and others moved away from it. The Census of more schools were built. Tenant-farmers moved to new 1851 reveals that only 40% of people then resident in farms. Tradesmen and craftsmen moved after completing Claxby had been born in the parish: that of 1871 shows that their apprenticeships. only 27% of residents had been born here. In 1851 people The coming of the railway in 1848 helped movement, then in the village had been born in no fewer than 71 but people were frequently on the move, on foot, by horse different parishes within Lincolnshire. Mobility was normal and cart, and by carriers’ carts long before 1848. on a national and local scale. When the detailed Enumerators’ Returns for the Census Then, as now, people moved to new occupations (or to of 1851 are examined for a small number of parishes within the same job in another parish); many farmworkers the Claxby region and a little further afield, one discovers no (especially farm-servants who lived in with employers or fewer than 114 people who had been born in Claxby and foremen) moved almost yearly in the earlier years of their had moved away by 1851.

POPULATION MOVEMENT The list below shows the numbers of Claxby-born people who lived in these 30 parishes in 1851:-

17 One resident in each of these parishes:- 16 Caistor Saxby-all-Saints 12 Grimsby Swallow Wootton 8 Market Rasen Barrow on Humber Ulceby 10 Lissington 5 Walesby 5 Ludford Greetham 5 North & South Northorpe 5 3 2 2 Holton Beckering

A fast-growing population is a young population. In improved, when the standard of housing got better, and, 1851 there were far fewer people over 50 years of age than at very importantly, when conditions and hours of work present and far more young people. In 1851 half Claxby’s became less harsh and shorter, then people began to live population was under 20 years of age and only 15% over longer. The age-structure of the population is shown in the fifty (and only eleven folk were over 70). When diet diagram on the opposite page

6 CLAXBY PARISH BAPTISMS AND BURIALS FROM 1800 - 1900 Research by Caroline Adamson

Date Number of baptisms Number of burials Excess of baptisms over burials

1800 - 09 48 13 35 1810 - 19 54 35 19 1820 - 29 60 27 33 1830 - 39 67 21 46 1840 - 49 52 48 4 1850 - 59 72 36 36 1860 - 69 52 28 24 1870 - 79 125 57 68 1880 - 89 91 49 42 1890 - 99 50 45 5

No burial records exist for the years 1800, 1804, 1808, 1822, 1861 and 1870. Information based on the Church Baptism and Burial Registers held at Lincoln Archives.

2 SCHOOLS AND CHANGES IN LITERACY

Literacy depends upon the availability of education: what This day school was held in a private house, the location do we know about schools in Claxby? Our first factual of which is unknown. There was no purpose-built school information comes from the Abstract of the Answers and before c.1856 when White’s Lincolnshire Directory states:- Returns for the government enquiry of 1835. This states:- “The School for the two parishes of Claxby and “CLAXBY Parish ... One Daily School, in which 10 Normanby is supported by the lord of the manors [the males and 13 females receive instruction at the expense of Earl of Yarborough] and the farmers, who have lately their parents. - One Sunday School, with 12 males and 4 erected a neat house for the master.” females, who are taught gratuitously; these schools commenced in 1829.” The master was Edward Canty who had been teaching in

7 Claxby before this school was built. The census shows him can, and are grateful to those who afford help. The in 1851 as a teacher aged 30. He was still schoolmaster in employers of labour do not wish the labourers to be wholly 1881 with his wife Mildred as his assistant, together with ignorant, but think that a very moderate scale of their daughter Alice then aged 18. In 1892 Edward Canty scholarship is sufficient. Their view is that ‘more than a was still master: before 1905 his daughter Fanny succeeded little is by much too much’; they are afraid that the him, in that year Kelly’s Directory tells us that the Earl of labourers will be spoilt for field work.” Yarborough subscribes £10 yearly towards its support and Evidence to the Royal Commission on the Employment of Children, Young Persons and Women in Agriculture, 1867. “...the school will hold 100 children; average attendance 58...” The school was certainly used for village concerts, lectures and other events in last century. Three reports from the Too little is known about this school (now the Viking Market Rasen Weekly Mail (founded in 1856) bear this out. Centre) in the nineteenth century. A helpful letter from the However, this newspaper during the nineteenth century Diocesan Director of Education (30th June 1999) reads:- contained far more national than local news: news of Claxby rarely appears. “We have searched our archives here for details of Claxby by Normanby Church of England School ... and regret to “The Day and Sunday Schools, which have been closed have to inform you that we have no record of the details for the last five weeks on account of the prevalency of that you are seeking such as log books for this school.” measles, were opened again on Sunday and Monday last.” Rasen Mail 8 August 1874 Had the Log Book written in last century survived it could tell us much both of the school and of village “On Thursday evening last an excellent entertainment activities. took place in the school-room ... when there was a full In 1855 the Bishop of Lincoln sent out an educational attendance, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The enquiry to all of his clergy. He asked, amongst other things, following is the programme:- Overture by Miss Francis ‘Will your parish support (financially) the Diocesan Board and the Organist; reading ‘John Gilpin’s Ride’ the Rev. W. of Education?’ The reply from Claxby was:- F. W. Westbrooke [the Curate]; selection on the hand-bells by the Market Rasen Ringers; song, ‘Tomorrow’ by Miss E. “I fear that at present there would be little hope of Hill; song, ‘The Mill Wheel’, Miss Francis; selection obtaining contributions for the Diocesan Board, as the Rasen Bell Ringers; ... reading ‘A Schoolfeast’ ... farmers are required by Lord Yarboro’ to subscribe to his finale, ‘God Save the Queen’ ...” school at Claxby.” Rasen Mail 10 January 1880

One delightful press report (Stamford Mercury 12 August On the evening of March 1st, 1880, a meeting took place 1859) tells that the children of Claxby and Normanby in the schoolroom to say farewell to the Rev. W. F. W. paraded their villages carrying two banners with these Westbrooke who had been the Curate for several years, and inscriptions:- to present a testimonial to him. The Market Rasen Weekly “HEALTH & PROSPERITY TO THE Mail reported this at length. SUPPORTERS OF EDUCATION. SCHOOLS ARE ENGLAND’S GLORY” “... Some had given gold, some silver, some copper, but all had added the most precious offering of all, their hearty The problems facing all village schools in Lincolnshire in wishes for the true welfare of the recipient.” last century were, mainly, On this occasion both the Rector, the Rev. S. W. Andrews 1 grossly irregular attendance, partly due to a great deal of and the Curate spoke. The teachers and pupils presented seasonal child labour on the farms; this Address:- 2 the inadequate staffing of schools and 3 the irregular and inadequate annual income of schools “An Address to the Rev. W. F. W. Westbrooke from the largely dependent on school pence and varying sums Teachers and Scholars of Claxby-cum-Normanby Day from subscribers. Not everyone, even as late as the 1860s, and Sunday Schools. fully approved of education for working-class boys and We, the undersigned, desire to express our gratitude to the girls. Rev. W. F. W. Westbrooke for his uniform and great The Vicar of summed up the situation in kindness to us, and for the many good things he has taught 1867 accurately:- us from the Bible, and doctrine and worship of the Church of England. We also wish to express the great “... The general sense of the country is in favour of pleasure we feel in his appointment as Vicar of attending school during the winter months; the labourers Corringham, and the most earnest wish of our hearts is are anxious that their children should learn all that they

8 that he may long live to be happy in his new home and When we move on to 1881 and 1891 there is further successful in his work.” change, as follows:- Rasen Mail 6 March 1880 Age range Boys Girls What can we learn from the detailed Enumerators’ of scholars 1881 1891 1881 1891 Returns for the Census about the pupils at Claxby School? 0-4 years 3 1 1 3 In 1851 the total number of children aged 4 to 14 5-7 years 17 6 8 11 inclusive was 70. The total number described as ‘scholars’ 8-10 years 11 14 20 8 was 30: i.e. nearly 43% of the total were attending a school Over 10 years 12 8 10 6 of some sort (before the building of the Earl of Yarborough’s school). There were two teachers, Mrs. Mary Coulson (the TOTALS 43 29 39 28 wife of a tailor) and Edward Canty. The age-range of the 30 scholars was:- By 1891 the total population and the number of children had fallen since the peak of 1871. Age Range Boys Girls How had schooling improved literacy? A full table, researched by Caroline Adamson, follows this section. 0-4 years 1 1 Abstracting essential figures from this, we find that out of 13 5-7 years 6 5 marriages in 1850 - 59 nearly 31% of the brides and 15% of 8-10 years 6 5 the bridegrooms could not sign their names in the Marriage Over 10 years 3 3 Register. In 1890 - 99 all brides were literate and only one bridegroom failed to sign his name. (Note that only six pupils were over the age of 10.) As the number of children going to Claxby school increased the school was enlarged in size in 1873 - 4. Twenty years after this, when 91 children were aged No information at all has been found on adult education between 4 and 14, seventy-four (over 81%) were described in 19th century Claxby: no mention of Night Schools as ‘scholars’: this shows a very marked advance. The only (which were not uncommon in Lincolnshire) and no record teacher then was Edward Canty, then aged 53. He was born of Mutual Improvement Societies (which were numerous in in Middle Rasen; his wife, described as a grocer and draper the county). aged 46, had been born in Claxby.

LITERACY AND ILLITERACY from the Marriage Registers of Claxby 1800 - 1899 Research by Caroline Adamson

DATE Number of BRIDES Illiterate GROOMS Illiterate Marriages Literate Illiterate % Literate Illiterate %

1800-09 8 4 4 50 2 6 75 1810-19 13 5 8 61.5 7 6 46.2 1820-29 13 10 3 23.1 11 2 15.4 1830-39 19 8 11 57.9 14 5 26.3 1840-49 22 8 14 63.6 6 16 72.7 1850-59 13 9 4 30.8 11 2 15.4 1860-69 16 13 3 18.8 13 3 18.8 1870-79 15 14 1 6.7 13 2 13.3 1880-89 12 12 0 0 10 2 16.7 1890-99 6 6 0 0 5 1 16.7

No records exist in the Marriage Registers for the years listed below. 1800-01 (inclusive), 1803, 1806, 1810, 1816, 1826, 1833, 1835, 1868, 1870, 1876, 1882, 1887-88 (inclusive) & 1894-99 (inclusive).

9 LITERACY AND ILLITERACY: LOCAL COMPARISONS from the Marriage Registers of Claxby, Nettleton and Caistor

CLAXBY NETTLETON CAISTOR DATE BRIDES GROOMS BRIDES GROOMS BRIDES GROOMS Illiterate % Illiterate % Illiterate Illiterate Illiterate Illiterate

1800-09 50 75 29 29 54 27 1810-19 61. 46.2 45 70 41 34 1820-29 23.1 15.4 61 39 37 25 1830-39 57.9 26.3 63 47 44 24 1840-49 63.6 72.7 54 37 50 24 1850-59 30.8 15.4 33 33 32 24 1860-69 18.8 18.8 18 25 19 20 1870-79 6.7 13.3 12 29 22 14 1880-89 0 16.7 5 10 1 1 1890-99 0 16.7 0 9 3 3

One of the provisions of Lord Hardwicke’s Marriage Act in 1753 was that brides and bridegrooms must sign their names in the marriage register provided, or, if they were illiterate, must make their mark.

Thus, from 1754, evidence exists of literacy at the time of marriage; this information - in the words of the Registrar General in 1845 - “is of unquestionable value, as an evidence of the relative state of elementary education in different parts of the country, and at different times.”

3 METHODISM IN THE PARISH

The Reverend John Wesley died in 1791; forty-five years the absenteeism of clergy was the rule, their residence in later, in 1836, the first Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built their parish exceptional. The Rev. Isaac Wilson, Vicar of in Claxby. Another Methodist connexion, the Primitive Caistor 1777 - 1833, was for fifty-six years non-resident. Methodists (who appealed largely to labourers) built their Many church buildings were in poor repair: the Archdeacon chapel in 1862: this is now the village hall. A second of Lincoln, the Rev. H. K. Bonney, reported in July 1846 on Wesleyan Methodist chapel, replacing that of 1836 was Middle Rasen :- erected, on a new site, in 1904. The coming and growth of Methodism changed the “This church is all but in ruins and is dangerous to use...” nature of the parish. Before this there had been one village community and NO significant Nonconformity. After On he wrote:- about 1860 there were three communities, three competing communities in a parish of c.240 people. The coming of “St. Gabriel is in ruin ... It is a painful sight to observe so Methodism deepened division in the parish (social division, much population and yet be told the church is sufficient, of course, had long been evident); it also brought conviction and the other church in ruins. There must have been and vitality and this was more important than division. neglect somewhere in former times.” How strong was Methodism in Lincolnshire by 1851 and why had it grown so fast? In 1851 a national Religious Thomas Stone, writing mainly on agriculture in Census was taken: it revealed this picture in Lincolnshire:- Lincolnshire, made this comment on religion in the county in 1800:- Total number of Church of England churches 657 Total number of Methodist chapels 703 “Religion is necessary to all, but more especially to the poor. The promises of the Gospel are their peculiar Nearly all of these 703 chapels had been built after 1800: inheritance; for, take away the hope of another life, and 212 out of this total had been erected after 1818 (these 212 what have they left? Their portion in the present, is, for were Primitive Methodist chapels). the most part, labour and sorrow ...” Lincolnshire Methodism had taken root and prospered mainly because the Church of England (the Established What did the 1851 Religious Census reveal about Church) was in the later 18th century and earlier 19th Claxby? century in a very poor condition. When Bishop Kaye became Bishop of Lincoln in 1827 he (later) reported that

10 At St. Mary’s Church, in which there was one service each It is difficult to identify these preachers. In 1871 there Sunday, alternately morning and afternoon, the usual were neither Surfleets nor Phillipsons in Claxby: there is one attendance was about sixty. At the Wesleyan chapel on Coulbeck - John Coulbeck, an ironstone miner, unmarried, census Sunday afternoon (30th March), 75 adults and 40 aged 37. There are no fewer than three Robinsons:- Sunday school pupils attended, a total of 115. There is much more to be discovered about Methodism • Charles Robinson, unmarried, aged 32, ironstone in Claxby. A lively report in the Market Rasen Weekly Mail, manager dated 12 September 1874, shows its vitality. • John Robinson, married, aged 33, labourer in the Iron Works and “The Primitive Methodists held their annual camp • Jonathan Robinson, married, aged 49, the Mine Agent. meeting on Sunday last, after parading the streets singing a variety of hymns, they took their stand in certain places It is not possible to say whether any of these was a and gave short addresses to the people. In the afternoon Primitive Methodist preacher, but it is not unlikely that two the meeting was held in a field kindly lent by Mr. G. of them were. Mundy, farmer, the situation was an exceedingly nice one, on the side of a hill ... The preachers were Messrs. Surfleet, Phillipson, Robinson and Coulbeck, senr., the sermons were appropriate and impressive, the congregation good and altogether a very successful meeting ...”

4 EARNING A LIVING: OCCUPATIONS FOR WOMEN AND MEN

1 Women’s Occupations The opportunities for paid employment for women were There had been no major changes by 1881, but there very limited in Lincolnshire in the nineteenth century. A were then 16 domestic servants, 6 housekeepers, 2 middle class woman might become a governess or perhaps schoolmistresses and 1 Post Office clerk, as well as one keep a seminary for young ladies. For working-class women cottager, one charwoman, one cook, one housemaid and one nursing (untrained), dress-making, teaching (mainly kitchen-maid. untrained), house-keeping and domestic service were the By 1891 the only new employment were one Sewing main openings. Because there was a lack of paid Mistress, one Organist at St. Mary’s, one Grocer and one employment for women, many left Lincolnshire for Inn-keeper and Farmer. London, Hull and elsewhere. Not until well into the twentieth century were many The Census of 1851 reveals that, in Claxby, 19 women different paid employments for women available. There was were employed as house-servants, two housekeepers, one a always part-time seasonal employment for both women and teacher, one a governess (with the Young family) and one a children in agriculture, and, in some parishes occasional dress-maker. employment in basket-making. By 1871 there had been no great change: employments were:-

1 Grocer & Draper 2 Housemaids 1 Farmer 1 Nursemaid 1 Cottager & Farmer 1 Cook 8 Domestic Servants 1 Kitchen Maid 4 Dress-makers 1 Gate-minder 2 Housekeepers (the railway crossing)

2 Men’s Occupations 1851 - 1891 Employment in agriculture was always dominant in in farming and eighty-two in other occupations: this Claxby, with the exception of the period when the ironstone situation was exceptional. Men’s occupations can be mine was in full operation. In 1871 forty-four men worked summarized as follows on the next page:-

11 1851 1871 1881 1891

In Agriculture 70 ... 81.4% 44 ... 34.9% 59 ... 55.1% 52 ... 76.5% In other occupations 16 ... 18.6% 82 ... 65.1% 46 ... 43.0% 16 ... 23.5%

For all the nineteenth century all farmers were tenants: report from the Market Rasen Weekly Mail, 1st May 1880, the great majority were tenants of the Earl of Yarborough reveals this importance:- who owned all the land apart from the church glebe. Their male farm-workers fell into two main categories, farm- Market Rasen Statute servants hired by the year who lived in, either with the farmer or with his farm-foreman and agricultural labourers “Notwithstanding the fact that our annual May-day hired by the week or by the day. The farm-servants were statute occurred somewhat earlier than usual this year, the normally hired at either Market Rasen or Caistor Statute number of visitors was equally numerous on Thursday Hirings. These hirings were important, for employers and last. The trains, carriers’ carts, and private conveyances, employees, and for the annual opportunities of farm servants all brought their full complement of ‘country cousins’, (both men and women) to meet friends and to enjoy their whose objects were probably as much for pleasure as annual holiday with the many stalls and amusements present business. The register offices for servants appeared as busy at the hirings. As the century drew to a close the fun of the as usual, and a fair amount of hiring took place ...” fairs mattered more than the seeking for employment. This

EMPLOYMENTS 1851 1871 1881 1891

Farmers 12 9 9 8 Farm Servants ? 9 12 10 Agricultural Labourers 49 15 33 25 Innkeeper and Farmer 1 1 0 0 Blacksmith and Farmer 1 ? 0 0 Groom 3 3 0 0 Shepherd 1 1 0 1 Cottager and Farmer - 1 2 1 Railway Labourer 2 1 1 2 Curate 1 0 1 1 Gardener 1 1 1 0 Tailor 1 1 0 0 Cordwainer (shoe-maker) 3 4 3 0 Wheelwright 1 ? 1 1 Wheelwright & Blacksmith 1 ? 0 0 Apprentices 4 2 0 0 Schoolmaster 1 1 1 1 Huckster 1 0 0 0 Blacksmith ? 4 1 0 Rector - 1 1 1 Ironstone Miners 0 39 13 0 Joiner ? ? 3 0

Other occupations which are not included in this table are:- In 1871: 1 Cattle Dealer, 1 Foreman, 2 Garthmen, 1 Farming Bailiff, 1 Waggoner, 2 Drivers in the Mines, 1 Grocer, 1 Butcher, 3 Joiners, 1 Mason, 7 Labourers, 1 Butcher & Miner, 1 Book-keeper, 1 Gate Minder (railway), 1 Plasterer, 1 Ironstone Burner, 1 Innkeeper & Farmer & Brickmaker, 1 Mine Deputy, 1 Brickmaker, 1 Engine Fitter, 1 Plumber, 1 Builder, 1 Mine Agent, 1 Painter.

12 In 1881: 1 Garthman, 1 Agricultural Foreman, 1 Cottager & Agricultural Labourer, 1 Sub-postmaster & Shopkeeper, 1 Tile-maker, 1 Errand Boy, 1 Joiner & Wheelwright, 2 Carpenters, 1 Shoe-maker and Cottager, 1 Mine Manager, 1 Furnace Boy at Mine, 1 Pony Driver at Mine, 1 Horse-keeper at Mine, 1 Pay-clerk at Mine, 1 Watchman at Mine, 1 Coachman, 1 Shopkeeper, 3 General Labourers, 1 Magistrate (John J. Young), 1 Footman, 1 Brick & Tile Maker, 1 Brush- manufacturer and Farmer.

In 1891: 1 Garthman, 1 Agricultural Foreman, 1 Threshing Machine Owner, 2 Waggoners, 1 Farmer & Wheelwright, 1 Butcher, 1 Sub-postmaster & Grocer, 1 Letter Carrier, 1 Carpenter & Cottager, 1 Wheelwright & Carpenter, 1 Groom & Gardener, 1 Magistrate (The Rector), 1 Footman, 1 Brickmaker.

The number of men with dual occupations is interesting and this is not uncommon in other parishes.

Note: A garthman looks after livestock. A cottager is a small-holder A farming bailiff takes charge of a farm.

Wages of Farm-workers Details given in these pages are, unless another source is 1873. “Hull and Eastern Counties Herald” quoted, from the Stamford Mercury. They are incomplete. Before the new farm-workers’ trade unions exist to draw May 15th. Barton May Day Statutes. “Servants were in public attention to his conditions and his demands, details great demand at the highest rate of wages ... waggoners are not given in the press. £24 to £28 per year; second waggoners £17 to £22; boys £12 to £18; girls £10 to £16.” 1870. May Statute Fairs and Hirings. The only figures given are for Lincoln. A few comments are made, e.g. May 16th. Several reports of “higher wages” at statutes : “lower wages than last year”; Boston: “high reported in this issue, e.g. , , wages were asked and obtained”; Gainsborough: wages Lincoln, Barton. “high”; : “wages had a downward tendency.” “Eastern Morning News” Lincoln: “same rate of wages as last year.” May 19th. Lincoln May Statutes. “... Wages ran very Horse-feeders and ploughmen £14; second hands £12; high, farm boys asking from £7 to £9 and men from £15 boys £6; foremen £20 to £22 (per annum). to £20; girls asked from £10 to £16 and stage servants as high as £18.” 1871. May. The only figures given are for Lincoln: “High wages were asked: head waggoners £20 per annum; “Hull and Eastern Counties Herald” shepherds £24; ploughmen £16; and youths £8 to £10.” August 21st. Harvest Wages. Barton. Harvesters 1872. Wages referred to in news reports vary. Here are getting 27s. or 28s. weekly and board. examples: “Eastern Morning News” February. Barton 2s. 6d. a day; Alford 13s. 6d. to 15s. a week; Caistor 13s. 6d. a week November 17th. Crowle Statutes. “High wages were . asked, and employers were compelled to give way ... men March. Long Sutton 2s. 3d. a day; Market Deeping 2s. ... £25 to £30; second class men £16 to £20; youths £4. 6d. a day; Holbeach 15s. and 16s. a week; 10s. to £10 according to age.”

Caistor 2s. 3d. and 2s. 6d. a day; Lincoln 2s. 9d. a day; “Hull and Eastern Counties Herald” Barrow on Humber 2s. 9d. and 3s. a day. April. Gainsborough 15s. a week; Spalding 2s. 9d. a November 20th. Crowle Statutes. High wages obtained. day (a recent advance from 2s. 3d.). Men £25 to £30; second class men £16 to £20; youths £4. 10s. to £10; girls for milking £14. May. 2s. 6d. a day. Epworth Statutes. Lads 9 to 12 guineas; men £19 to November. Alford 16s. a week - had been 18s. before £26 per year. harvest.

13 1874. “Stamford Mercury” 1884. “Stamford Mercury”

May 15th. Brigg. Report that at Statutes at Brigg- May 9th. Gainsborough. First May-day hiring. “average amongst the largest in N. Lincs.-”The wages ruled very wages: Head waggoners from £18 to £23; second men high, which interfered in some measure with the amount £14 to £16; lads £6 to £10; females £8 to £14.” of hiring which otherwise would have taken place; still a good deal of business was done ...” May 16th. Barton Statute. “There was a large attendance of both masters and servants at the statute. Barton. Again report of “high wages” (many hirers from Foremen or first waggoners obtained from £18 to £22; Yorks.) second waggoners £12 to £16; and boys £6 to £10. Girls got £4. 10s. to £10; superior £11 to £12 ...” Some men in North Lindsey were getting 3s. a day in 1874. May 23rd. Statutes Boston. “Wages ruled a little lower than the pay of 1875. “Stamford Mercury” servants last year.” Sleaford. “About last year’s rate of wages.” May 7th. Gainsborough. Statutes. May-day. “... High wages were asked and obtained in nearly every case, and 1885. “Stamford Mercury” the following may be taken as the actual wage rates: May 8th. Barton Statute. “Rather less wages than last Waggoners from £28 to £32 per annum; ploughmen or year.” horsemen £20 to £25; under-grooms (youths) £10 to £14; and female servants to do milking £12 to £15.” Gainsborough Statutes. Tuesday. “... hiring was slow, and only a limited number of servants found places. May 13th. Barton on Humber Statute. “Waggoners, Men’s wages were not quite so high as last year. first-class £25 to £27; second £17 to £19; boys £10 to £14; girls £7 to £10.” “Hull and Eastern Counties Waggoners commanded from £18 to £24; ploughmen Herald”. £10 to £14; boys £7 to £9. Girls were not so plentiful and met with higher wages. Milkmaids obtained from May 20th. Grimsby Statutes. “The wages asked were £12 to £15; and younger girls from £7 to £9.” high, lads of 18 years old demanding and securing from £18 to £20, and adults as much as £30.” May 15th. Statutes Spalding. No figures given. “Hiring proceeded slowly, farmers generally holding out for some 1882. “Stamford Mercury” reduction in terms.” Sleaford. No figures given. “... not much hiring done.” May 19th. Lincoln. First waggoners £18 to £21; second Brigg. “... Wages for males had a downward tendency. £12 to £17; farm lads £5 to £8. Waggoners £15 to £20; ploughmen £10 to £15; boys £8 to £12 for the year. Female servants were fully as high as Gainsborough. Foremen £22 to £25; head waggoners those of last year. Women up to £16; girls up to £12...” £16 to £20; second waggoners £10 to £14; lads £6 to £10. May 22nd. Statutes . “... prices ruled lower than for several years past.” May 26th. Grantham. “Higher wages” reported, but no figures given. Sleaford. May Monday. “... comparatively little hiring was done on account of the high wages asked.” 1883. “Stamford Mercury” Market Deeping. “... The hiring was done at lower wages.” May 18th. Lincoln. First waggoners £20 to £21; second waggoners £14 to £16; lads £10. Lincoln. Smaller number of servants attended than usual. Business “was almost wholly confined to the hiring of Brigg. “wages ... somewhat lower than in previous years.” female servants.”

Gainsborough. “Wages had a downward tendency, and as Louth. Large attendance. “Hiring ... was slow, and servants stuck out for last year’s average, little hiring was wages generally had a downward tendency. Waggoners done ...” Head waggoners £19 to £21; second men £14 £15 to £20; ploughmen £12. 10s. to £16; useful lads £8 to £17; youths £6 to £10. to £13; and boys £5 to £7 for the year.”

14 1886. May.

Gainsborough. “Not a large attendance ... scarcely any Other comments in reports from statutes (no other figures business ... was done.” Waggoners £10 to £15; are given) include: ploughmen £9 to £12; boys £6 to £8; maid servants £6 to £12. Sleaford. Wages offered were at a con-siderable reduction on those of past years.” Barton on Humber. “Fair attendance ... but little hiring ...” Boys £6 to £9; foremen £17 to £22; servants £6 to Bourne. “Wages ruled lower than last year.” £11. Lincoln. “Very few engagements were contracted.” Grantham. “Wages were very low ... the chief demand was for lads from 15 to 18 years of age. Their wages 1887. May. ranged from £7. 10s. to £9.” Barton on Humber. Head waggoners or single foremen £18 to £22 per annum; second waggoners £10 to £16 per annum; average £13. 10s.; boys £5 to £8; strong lads with some experience £9 to £10.

5 CLAXBY FARMWORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Why is it worthwhile to include a section on England printed J. A. Clarke’s prize essay on The Farming of Farmworkers? For two reasons: (1) they always formed the Lincolnshire: Clarke concluded on the farm labourer:- single biggest section of the village population, (2) their own history is commonly neglected. “... that after the lapse of half a century [since 1799] the All one can write in this connection is about the agricultural labourers of Lincolnshire are obtaining no background to their lives: what were they aware of, what better livelihood in exchange for their toil than before.” local events may have influenced their way of thinking and acting? What were their wages - according to contemporary He went on to write:- report? Arthur Young, the secretary of the Board of Agriculture, “... the labourers generally are regularly employed and had the second edition of his General View of the Agriculture comparatively well paid.” of Lincolnshire published in 1813. He thought that labourers’ wages averaged 12s. 6d. a week the year round. In the 1860s and early 1870s the labourers’ usual daily He gives no wage details for the Caistor and Market Rasen wage was 2s. 6d. in summer and 2s. 3d. in winter. Many area; but was complacent about the labourers’ condition. made provision for illness, unemployment, and death in the In the stack-burnings of the 1830s and 1840s an family by membership of one of several Friendly Societies. Association for the Protection of Property against Incendiarism Clarke noticed this fact:- was formed. Labourers in the Claxby area would note some of its members, for example:- “... Benefit Societies are plentiful, consisting of Friendly Societies, Odd Fellows, Foresters, and Shepherds’ Lodges, Name and Residence Amount subscribed £ &c., which are undoubtedly of great advantage to the artisan and labourer ...” Sir Culling Eardley Smith / Nettleton 50 Geo. Skipworth / 30 Did Claxby farmworkers belong to a Friendly Society? Thomas Dixon / Holton le Moor 30 Evidence for this has not been found, but many such Wm. Skipworth / South Kelsey 20 societies were in easy reach, at these places, for example:- Thomas Brooks / 20 J. G. Dixon / Caistor 20 Rothwell Interment Society Thomas Skipworth / Cabourn 10 Tealby Ancient Order of Foresters G. Borman / South Kelsey 5 Caistor Druids, Ancient Shepherds Market Rasen Oddfellows, Foresters (90 names are listed in a List dated November 1845.) South Kelsey Druids Eastern Star This Association was not efficient, but was long-lived. In 1852 James Caird published his report (made for THE In 1872 and for nearly fifteen years afterwards the TIMES) English Agriculture in 1850-51. He wrote (page farmworker in Claxby was well aware of the formation and 197) “Labourers’ wages in Lincolnshire are at present 10s. a activity of two rival agricultural workers’ trade unions in this week.” In this year, 1852, the Royal Agricultural Society of area. The National Agricultural Labourers’ Union (the

15 secretary of which soon became a national figure - Joseph House [South Kelsey] had consented to preside, the Arch), and the Lincolnshire Labourers’ League (secretary enthusiasm of the Union men got almost to the point of William Banks of Boston). These unions were active in boiling over ...” Caistor, Market Rasen, Middle Rasen, Owersby and other nearby parishes. The following issue of the Market Rasen Weekly Mail These trade unions energetically encouraged emigration - dated 18th April reported that between eight hundred and with a large measure of success. The Hull and Eastern one thousand people had attended in the Market-place. It Counties Herald, dated 2nd April 1875 reported:- reported Skipworth’s speech at length, the important section was as follows:- Market Rasen: “A batch of agricultural labourers, with their families, (numbering from 60 to 70) left the Market “... A good deal had been said about labourers’ grievances, Rasen station on Wednesday morning for Liverpool to and he thought they had some foundation for complaint, embark for Canada. Mr. Hilliard, a delegate of the not alone on account of being insufficiently paid for their Union, [National Agricultural Labourers’ Union] services, but also for bitterness they had experienced from addressed them on the platform.” employers when they had the hardihood to form themselves into an Union for mutual support and defence. The Market Rasen Weekly Mail carried such He could not understand the arbitrary principle of men advertisements as this:- being discharged - not because they were bad or (28 February 1874, repeated many times) disobedient workmen - but because they were inheriting a little more intelligence from their combination as FREE EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND members of the Union. He had told the farmers they were FREE PASSAGES going to work in the wrong way, and that tampering with are granted by the the free rights of their own men was, in the present day, GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND not to be tolerated ...” As under:- To married and Single Agricultural Labourers, Navvies, G. Skipworth, who owned 5,542 acres with an annual Ploughmen, Shepherds, Mechanics, &c. rental in the early 1870s of £6,629, was noted as the only Also to one amongst the local gentry to support the farmworkers’ SINGLE FEMALE DOMESTIC SERVANTS trade unions. as Cooks, Housemaids, Nurses, General Servants, Dairy In 1880 (Market Rasen Mail) appeared further notices Maids, &c. about emigration. On 31st January an advertisement For Terms and Conditions apply personally, or by letter, to the appeared for the CUNARD ROYAL MAIL STEAMERS, Agent-General for New Zealand, 7 Westminster Chambers, sailing from Liverpool to New York and Boston every London, S.W., or to Mr. William Banks, Secretary, Monday and Saturday. The local agent was - Amalgamated Labour League, 5 Witham-street, Boston. John Sanderson, Market Place, Market Rasen On 14th February two notices about agricultural Such notices would be seen by labourers in Claxby, who emigration appeared. One read:- would certainly read of the huge Labourers’ Demonstration, reported at great length in the Rasen Mail dated 11th April CAPE GOVERNMENT 1874. AGRICULTURAL EMIGRATION To Agriculturists “LABOURERS’ DEMONSTRATION - WANTED, to proceed to CAPE COLONY, several The agricultural labourers had a great day on Friday last. AGRICULTURISTS, Their formidable meeting in the Market-place was a Married or Single not over 45. Good references required. success almost beyond the hopes of its projectors, and being The advantages offered are:- (1) Land in the finest exceedingly well conducted and free from disturbances of Agricultural and Grazing Districts of the Cape, at 10s. any kind, it may justly be recorded with advantage to the per Acre, the payment to be made in ten years at One cause they met to advocate ... shilling per acre per year. (2) A Free Passage for the Settler and family. ... Although the active business of the Demonstration was not expected to commence until the afternoon, a large For further particulars and Forms of Application apply to body of labourers, clean and well-dressed, had assembled WILLIAM C. BURNET, Cape Government Agent, 10 in the Market-place fully three hours before that time. Blomfield Street, London, E.C. The Union men mostly came in with blue rosettes ... whilst the wives and daughters displayed the standard The Claxby farmworker could and did keep himself colour in ribbons and similar trimmings on their hats informed by attending, year after year, the Statute Hirings at and dresses ... Caistor and at Market Rasen. One at Market Rasen was reported as follows (2nd May 1874):- ... The evening meeting took place at six, and when it became known that G. Skipworth, Esq., of Moortown

16 “... so far as Market Rasen is concerned ... this annual impossible to say; but if the noise of gongs, organs, drums, gathering and holiday still maintains its popularity ... cymbals, and the strepor [sic] of a host of wide-mouthed Any one on a tour of inspection in the Market-place on and leathern-lunged competitors for public favour be any Wednesday night preceding the Statute, would have criterion of brisk business, the counting up of the pence ... wondered where all the caravans and travelling houses, must have afforded very satisfactory results. So far as which were open to the public on the morrow, came exteriors went the shows were a degree more respectable from... Every available inch of space was eagerly seized than usual ... The hiring business of the Statute was only upon early on Wednesday... How the proprietors of the secondary to the amusement ...” various Market-place establishments would fare, it is The Market Rasen Weekly Mail 2 May 1874

Extract from Kelly’s 1885 Lincolnshire Directory

6 THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN CLAXBY

When the Archdeacon of Lincoln, the Venerable H. K. By 1871, according to the Stamford Mercury dated 23 Bonney inspected St. Mary’s church on 12th August 1846 he June 1871, found nothing on which to comment unfavourably.* “... The dilapidated condition of the church here having “... The chancel arch springs from Early English pilasters, become a reproach the Rev. S. W. Andrews (then Curate, on the mouldings of which are two grotesque heads, one of and now the Rector) some years ago made an attempt to which is a human head with both hands stretching the raise funds for its restoration. This, however, was mouth as wide as possible, the other with hands lifted up frustrated chiefly through the late incumbent being towards each side of the head and tongue hanging out of opposed to the scheme, but almost immediately upon his the mouth. The belfry is good and the chamber above demise the good work was taken in hand, and brought to pretty fair, ascended by a ladder which is crooked but a successful issue...” firm; the chamber wants cleaning. There are three bells, which, with their frames, are in good order... There are As we have already noted, in 1851 the usual attendance at the Commandments, King’s Arms and Table of Degrees... church was about 60, there being one service each Sunday The pews are panelled deal, the pulpit is oak-grained with alternately morning and afternoon. The living, united with a sounding board ... The church is well drained. The Normanby, was a very rich one being worth in 1856 no less church yard is sufficient and there is sufficient church than £844 a year. A comparison with the contemporary room. The Table and the rails are good...” value of other local livings is instructive.

* Bonney's Church Notes, being Notes on the Churches in the Archdeaconry of Lincoln, 1845 - 1848, edited by the Rev. N. S. Harding. Pub. Lincoln 1937. 17 Parish Annual Value of Total the Living (£) Population

Claxby with Normanby 844 411 Caistor 300 2166 Nettleton 500 524 Tealby 120 861 Market Rasen 223 2110 306 68

There was no indication in 1851 that the church was in poor repair. By 1871 (as we have noticed) the church was reported as being ‘dilapidated’. We have no evidence to account for the neglect of maintenance during these twenty years. During the nineteenth century there were only four incumbents enjoying the Rectory of Claxby. They were:-

1794 - 1819 Richard Dixon† 1819 - 1820 Thomas Wilby 1820 - 1869 Richard Atkinson 1869 - 1905 Samuel Wright Andrews

A succession of Curates assisted the Rectors; it is difficult to appreciate the need for curates but their presence certainly enabled the Rectors to enjoy a comfortable and gentlemanly Extract from White’s 1856 Lincolnshire Directory life. The clergy in Claxby all lived in some style, as they would expect to do in the nineteenth century. The enumerators’ In 1891 the household contained six people. The Rev. returns for the four census reports provide details. Samuel Andrews, then a widower of sixty-six, who was now In 1851 the Rector was not resident when the census was a magistrate as well as the Rector; the Curate, Edmund Bull taken, but his Curate’s household was:- (aged 23), a housekeeper, two housemaids and a footman.

The Rev. Parkinson Younge, age 31, born at Walesby. The total population of Claxby and Normanby-le-Wold His son Thomas, aged 8 and daughter Helen, 5 years old, was as follows: had both been born in (Lincs.). Two servants lived in: a gardener, John Wattam, married, 1851 411 aged 31, had been born in ; the house- 1881 467 servant, Helen Wattam, aged 31, had been born in 1871 519 . 1891 365

Twenty years later, in 1871, the Rector’s household was:- The church underwent a major restoration in 1870 - 1871 and the county newspaper reported its re-opening:- The Rev. Samuel Wright Andrews, married, aged 47 (he had been born in Nottinghamshire and his wife, Annie, “... the church was re-opened on the 8th. inst., after aged 41, in Lincolnshire.) having been closed since March 1870. The service Three servants lived in: Miss Catley (43) the housemaid; commenced with Holy Communion at 8.0 a.m. Before Miss Martha Good (17) the Cook; and William Clark morning prayer at 11.30 there was a large assemblage of (35) the Groom. the neighbouring clergy and gentry. At about 10.30 the Bishop of Lincoln with all the clergy then present In 1881 seven people lived in the Rectory:- perambulated the grounds around the church, being headed by the choir singing hymns. In due time for the Samuel Andrews and his wife Annie, the Rev. Edmund E. church service the procession started from the Rectory, the Dean, the Curate of Claxby and Normanby (aged 23), a choristers leading and singing ‘Onward Christian footman, a cook, a housemaid and a kitchen maid. Soldiers’, &c. ...”

† There is a memorial in the chancel to the Revd. Richard Dixon, LL.B., "… many years Rector of this parish, who died March 7th, 1819, aged 58 …". In the years 1801 to 1803 he added to his substantial income by acting as Curate at

18 The report states that about two hundred people enjoyed few children were at work: there were (at least in their earlier lunch in a marquee; that James Fowler of Louth‡ was the days) two sessions each Sunday, the first from 8 a.m. until architect responsible for the restoration and that the builders noon, the second from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. were Messrs. Barker and Smith of Lincoln. It continues :- Year after year the county newspaper reported these anniversaries, usually in very favourable terms. Not until “... The cost ... has been £1600, the Earl of Yarborough 1881, reporting the seventy-second anniversary, did a critical (proprietor of all the land except the glebe farm) having report appear:- given all the new stone and the sand required for the building, in addition to a subscription of £350 ... “... without any change in the old stereotyped programme, Simultaneously with the restoration of the church, the which so little agrees with the modern spirit of progress, or Rectory house has been considerably altered and enlarged, popular idea of usefulness, that it [the anniversary] so that now, environed as it is with lawn, garden, becomes more and more the subject of derisive remarks. shrubberies, and groves of ornamental trees, it forms a The weather was again inauspicious, and the number of truly charming and enviable retreat.” poor children sent from the villages was fewer than ever, (Stamford Mercury 23 June 1871) though plenty still to afford the pleasing sight of a crowd of them fed standing like swine with baskets of cheap buns Competition for worshippers continued with the and pails full of slops in the Market-place, and with Wesleyan Methodists and the Primitive Methodists. A new music to sauce their repast.” Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in 1904 on a new site. Stamford Mercury 8 July 1881 It would be interesting to know what the church-chapel relationships were at different periods, with different Rectors An undated typescript by Miss Bristow shows that and Curates, in the 19th century. eventually: In 1857 the Rev. S. W. Andrews preached in Caistor at the anniversary of the CAISTOR MATRON SOCIETY. In “Once a year we were transported by waggon and horses that year Mrs. J. G. Dixon was Patroness and George to the Service ‘Matron’s Meeting’ in the Caistor Church Skipworth (of South Kelsey) the President. Were children followed by sports.” from Claxby and Normanby then present in Caistor for this 49th anniversary? We do not know. We do know, however that the Rev. S. W. Andrews spoke again at the anniversary in 1858 when the county newspaper reported that:-

“... the Matron Society, the object of which is to encourage children in learning and industrial habits ... is supported by about 150 ladies ...”

In 1858 about 700 children from Caistor and nearby parishes attended this anniversary (Stamford Mercury 9 July 1858). THE MATRON SOCIETY had been founded in 1808 to encourage the growth and maintenance of Church Sunday Schools; it continued its efforts until after the First World War. Shortly after its foundation an Address to Sunday School Teachers was printed; this stated:- Claxby Rectory and Church after 1871

“... Much of the peace, comfort, and safety of the community, depend upon the character and habits of the poor ... To tame the ferocity of their unsubdued passions - to repress the excessive rudeness of their manners - to Information about CAISTOR MATRON’S SOCIETY chasten the disgusting and demoralizing obscenity of their may be found in the following two booklets, published by language - to subdue the stubborn rebellion of their wills - Nettleton Branch of the Workers’ Educational Association to render them honest, obedient, courteous, industrious, in 1960 and 1992. submissive, and orderly - should be an object of great desire with all who are engaged in the work of Sunday School Rex C. Russell: A History of Elementary Schools and Instruction ...” Adult Education in Nettleton and Caistor: 1800-1875

The Sunday Schools encouraged by this Society were, in Rex C. Russell: Aspects of the History of Caistor: 1790 - fact, Day Schools held on Sundays - on the day on which 1860.

‡ Normanby-le-Wold church was much restored, by James Fowler in 1868.

19 20 7 THE YARBOROUGH ESTATE AND CLAXBY

By 1876 the Yarborough Estate comprised 55,272 acres under each parish, appear the names of voters together with with a gross estimated annual rental of £76,226. Claxby and evidence of the candidate for whom they voted. Normanby together comprised 3615 acres. In the 1832 election the five voters in Claxby, the Rev. The fact of Yarborough ownership is evident in (1) several Richard Atkinson, John Young, gent., and three farmers - estate cottages, of high standard for their period; (2) in the George Mundy, Benjamin Marshall, Christopher Stevenson granting of leases for the building of two Methodist chapels; - each gave one vote to the Yarborough candidate, the Hon. (3) in the building of the school for the children of Claxby C. A. Pelman. The same five voters in 1835 did likewise. and Normanby. One building still standing bears this In the 1841 election there were seven voters in Claxby, inscription:- the five already named plus George Mundy, junior, and William Rickills. With the exception of the Rector all voted “This Shop was erected in 1878 by the Right Honble Earl for the Yarborough candidate, Lord Worsley. Yarborough for his tenant JOHN SHEPHERD. He and In the last election before Secret Ballot, that of 1852, his father have already been Blacksmiths at Claxby for 73 there were seven voters in Claxby: five of these each voted for years and have worked for FOUR Generations of Mr. the Yarborough candidate, Sir Montague Cholmeley. They HARGREAVES’ family at Normanby and for four were Robert Gooseman, George Mundy, William Rickills, generations of Mr. YOUNG’S of CLAXBY. Frederick Shepherd and J. Young. The two who voted Tory Rebuilt 1948.” (i.e. NOT for the Yarborough candidate) were the Rector (Richard Atkinson) and William Davidson. Evidence of the Yarborough influence on their tenant- In the 19th century one expects the tenant-farmers on a farmers in Claxby is apparent in the printed POLL BOOKS large estate to respect the wishes of their landlord, whether which appeared after every contested parliamentary election such wishes are expressed or not expressed. before the Secret Ballot was introduced in 1872. In these,

8 CLAXBY IRONSTONE MINE - ‘THAT GLOOMY CAVERN OF DISASTER’

In 1859 and in 1860 ironstone was found at Appleby to agricultural villages would become industrial towns of the east of , Kirton Lindsey, Caistor (in Hundon national importance. Such hopes never materialized, of hamlet), Nettleton and very soon after this in both course. Normanby-le-Wold and Claxby. There were, locally, high What were the populations of these villages in 1861 and and unrealistic hopes that these discoveries would result in how did they, in fact, develop? (Scunthorpe area local industrialization and the local production of very much populations are also below). greater wealth. There were anticipations that these small

Population

Parish 1861 1871 1881

Normanby 149 138 162 Claxby 262 237 357 Nettleton 524 536 545 Totals 935 911 1064

Kirton Lindsey 1948 2058 1904 Brumby 159 204 178 Scunthorpe 303 368 710 Frodingham 113 113 577 Crosby 214 225 288 Totals 2737 2968 3657

Grand totals 3672 3879 4721

The above figures show that Normanby’s population miners. The villages in the Scunthorpe area do have a major increased a little as did that of Nettleton, but in this locality increase in population - mainly in Frodingham and only Claxby shows a significant increase - and the Census Scunthorpe. It was, of course, only in the Scunthorpe area returns reveal that this was due to an influx of ironstone that the discovery of ironstone significantly changed these 21 parishes. This story has been related in AN INDUSTRIAL assailed. That this locality abounds with iron is ISLAND: A History of Scunthorpe edited by M. Elizabeth ascertained beyond all doubt; ... As yet what has been Armstrong (Scunthorpe 1981). How can we find out about done is preparatory, and in the way of experiment. In the ironstone mine and its impact on the parish in Claxby?1 several places the ground has been bared sufficiently for There are two main sources, the county newspaper, The the discovery of a profitable enterprise ... When fairly at Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury, and the work ‘they say’ 1000 hands will at least be required. But enumerators’ returns for the Census of 1871, 1881 and ‘they say’ is not an authority for too much confidence: 1891. Hopes that The Market Rasen Mail (which began suffice it that ‘they say’ is right to the extent of 500. This publication in 1856) would provide extra information on would be a boon to Kirton, notoriously desolate, dreary, the mines were unrealised. That newspaper provided and dead, and would revolutionize the shopkeepers in detailed national news for local readers and only very little every direction and of every grade. It is fortunate that this local news in the nineteenth century. iron is so near the railway. Sidings for waggons are at Reports of the discovery of ironstone appear in the once to be proceeded with, and ‘they say’ 200 tons a day Stamford Mercury in December 1859 and January 1860. will be dispatched to blast furnaces somewhere until it is Under Kirton Lindsey in that newspaper dated 9 December expedient to have them on the spot, as will be the case 1859 we read:- eventually.”

“Very surprising rumours are being circulated in regard to On the 20 January 1860 the same paper reported that the the Lindsey iron works speedily to be established at this works at the Kirton Lindsey ironstone mines2 had begun in place. It would be strange if there were no truth in the earnest and the writer was led to believe that, within a few statements, and more strange if all were true in the vast months, 500 men would be employed at the works. Six amounts of exaggeration with which our ears are daily months later (under Brigg) we read:-

1 A little further information on Claxby mines may be found in Lincolnshire Industrial Archaeology Vol. 6, Nos. 2 & 3 (1971) and Lincolnshire Industrial Archaeology Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 2. (1968). 2 Kelly's Directory of 1861 states, of Kirton Lindsey: "Here is an iron ore mine ..." George Graham: manager, Samuel Frederick Okey: proprietor. Kelly's of 1868 repeats: "Here is an iron ore mine."

22 “Lincolnshire has been hitherto considered purely as an mining operations on the Hundon estate. A piece of the agricultural county, but it is likely to turn out very rich in rock was bared on the 24th ult., and the ore is being minerals, as in addition to the iron found at Kirton carted away to the railway. Direct railway Lindsey, on the estate of R. Winn, Esq., of Appleby, communication with the town [Caistor] is now urgently another estate in the neighbourhood of Caistor is likely to required, and the difficulties which stand in the way ... of turn out equally rich. We have just been shown specimens this long-talked-of project are happily growing smaller by of iron ore likely to yield a very rich percentage ... and we degrees. Other proprietors of land adjacent are expected should not be surprised in a few months to see a blast in to follow Mr. Owston’s example, so that there is some full operation, as it is not unlikely where there is so much prospect of the extensive mineral products of the district iron that coal may be found as well.” being developed; and according to the highest authorities in these matters the iron found here and at Appleby excels One week later this newspaper confirmed that iron ore in quality any other yet found in the kingdom, and is equal to any imported.” “... has recently been discovered on the property of Mr. J. T. Chant, druggist, of Caistor. It is not of superior quality And in July 1861:- to the Kirton and Appleby material, but from the present researches made it is anticipated that the Caistor hills are “The minerals of the Hundon estate ... have been recently much more productive.” sold, and mining operations are likely to be resumed forthwith. Smelting furnaces, and a line of rails from the After another week came this further report:- mines to North Kelsey station, it is confidently expected will be constructed as soon as the necessary preliminaries “All doubt is now set at rest as to the quantity and quality can be completed.” 6 of iron ore dug up in and adjoining Caistor parish. ... Mr. J. T. Chant, in addition to his own land and the In March 1862 the HUNDON MINERAL lands of R. Owston, Esq., of Hundon, has explored the FREEHOLD ESTATE (comprising 181 acres, ‘with an lands at Nettleton belonging to T. J. Dixon, Esq., of extensive and valuable Bed of IRONSTONE’) was up for sale Holton Park, and also the lands of Sir Culling Eardley, by auction. The sale notice included these particulars:-7 Bart., and has tested the iron ore found there both chemically and magnetically; ... the result shows that iron “... a valuable and extensive bed of Ironstone, from 12 to greatly abounds ... Mr. Chant ... has communicated the 14 feet in thickness, is under the greater part of the Estate, above facts to the owners of the lands, who it is hoped will which from analysis is found to be of extremely rich bestir themselves to develop the advantages of such a quality. discovery.” 3 “A short Railway of three miles, of easy location, is only The newspaper’s correspondents were disappointed that required to bring the produce into direct communication progress was not faster but they still showed (misplaced) by Rail and Sea with France, and with the Ironworks of optimism. At Kirton Lindsey “The ironstone enterprise of Newcastle and Durham, and by the new railway making this place is not so briskly followed up as was expected. New from Barnetby to Doncaster with the West Country. ground, however, has been commenced, and the yield is said to be very valuable. We are glad to see the arrival of several “Hundon is within a mile of Caistor, eight miles from new trucks expressly for the undertaking. There are also Brigg, and about twenty from New Holland and the Port other evidences that the work is to be prosecuted with of Great Grimsby. greater earnestness, and will become permanent.” 4 It was felt that: “Stone for burning excellent Lime is abundant on the Estate. Immediate possession may be had ...” “... a large portion of North Lincolnshire must one day become a manufacturing as well as an agricultural Kelly’s Directory of Lincolnshire for 1861 adds little to district ...” 5 our information. There is no mention here (nor in the 1868 edition) of any iron-stone working at Claxby. Under Caistor Optimism was evident in 1861 and also in 1862, but the it records “Iron ore, of excellent quality, has been found to press reports have little real evidence on which to base these exist in large quantities in the town and neighbourhood.” high hopes. In February 1861:- The 1868 edition adds “... a tramway is being laid to the beds at Nettleton,” it does not state where this tramway “With much gratification we record the commencement of began and a report in the Stamford Mercury of 22nd November 1867 is of limited help in this matter.

3 Stamford Mercury 20 January, 8, 15 & 22 June 1860. “On the 12th inst., the ceremony of taking up the first sod 4 Stamford Mercury 13 July 1860 (Kirton Lindsey). for a new branch railway to connect the iron diggings 5 Stamford Mercury 27 July 1860. with the Hull and Lincoln line was performed by Dr. 6 Stamford Mercury 1st February 1861 and 19th July 1861. Chalmers [of Caistor] ... The new line will be about two 7 Stamford Mercury 7th March 1862. 23 miles long, and will reach the main line a few yards Chalmers, the company’s surgeon, attended the sufferer beyond Holton station. It is expected to be completed in promptly, but the case was a hopeless one ... Deceased has a few weeks, when extensive excavations will be made, left a widow and several children, and was much and the ore calcined before removal.” respected among his fellow workmen, who raised a subscription for the widow and family ...” 10 Presumably these ‘iron diggings’ were at Claxby? Certainly work had begun in Normanby and Claxby before The company mentioned was Frith & Co., who operated 1869 because a report in June 1869 mentions ‘the iron this mine until 1873 when the West Yorkshire Iron & Coal mine’. 8 This report, headed Discovery of Antique Cells at Co. Ltd. took it over: they worked it until its closure in the Normanby Iron Mine, tells of 1885. This information is from the article in Vol. 6 (1971) of Lincolnshire Industrial Archaeology. This source states “... the discovery of five cells, or caves, evidently of great that the largest production was 70,000 tons during 1873: antiquity, in the hill at Normanby, in front of the iron the ore was sent to Leeds, leaving the mine on a horse-drawn mine.” It continues:- “About 50 yards to the south of the narrow gauge tramway, thence by a double incline, cable adit by which the mine is entered, near the brow of the operated (the full truck descending caused empty trucks to hill, the first of a series of mysterious cells was found by a ascend to the mine) to a mineral branch of the Manchester, party of labourers employed in quarrying the ironstone. Sheffield & Lincoln Railway which was one mile long. Four others in the stratum of ironstone (which averages Construction had started on this branch on 12th November about 6 feet in thickness), about twenty yards apart, 1867, as reported earlier in this article. having for floors the green sandstone, were subsequently In January 1870 there was still hope that a railway would found. The cells varied in size being from ten to fifteen be built from Grimsby to Caistor. Rumour asserted that the feet in width, and twenty to thirty feet in length, and had Earl of Yarborough together with Colonel Tomline (M.P. for been reached where there was no subterraneous passage by Grimsby) and Mr. Thorold of had made plans for perpendicular shafts about four feet square. At this part this. of the hill a shaft of twenty-five to thirty feet was necessary to reach the sandstone. The cells were walled with squares “... The chief aim of the project is to bring the ironstone of the sandstone of about six inches - a species of masonry direct from the mines near Caistor to Grimsby, where the that must have been executed with great difficulty in such smelting works are to be erected. If, however, the line is extremely hard material. No bones were found to indicate not ... to be made available for passenger and general that they had been used for sepulture, nor were there any goods traffic, it will scarcely realize any hopes of benefit to relics to indicate for what purpose or at what time they Caistor ...” were made. Unfortunately the workmen paid no respect to these relics of antiquity, and they have all disappeared Neither the railway line nor the smelting works were ever in the progress of the work. Various conjectures are afloat, constructed, of course. The mines grew at Claxby and but the probability is that they were Saxon places of miners moved into the area from other counties as the concealment ...” census reports show. This report appeared in the Stamford Mercury dated 4th November 1870:- Mining operations had started during or a little before 1869. (We have already stated that Kelly’s Directory of “Claxby a mining village! What! ultra-rural and 1868 makes no mention of workings at Claxby, but as the lethargic Claxby? Yes, strange as it would have sounded edition of 1876 also fails to record ironstone activity at ten years ago, and will yet sound to many ... formerly well either Claxby or Normanby this source is clearly not to be acquainted with the place and its sturdy opposition to all relied upon.)9 Those newspaper reports which do exist innovation .. but ignorant of the social revolution in reveal what was unusual - and therefore worth reporting - progress thereat - it has now a mining population. Its rather than day by day activity. The numerous accidents in green lane has been invaded by the builders, and its the mines (‘that gloomy cavern of disaster’) are the items ancient hedge-rows demolished to make way for rows of usually reported in some detail. dwelling-houses. Ten roomy and substantial cottages are already built and occupied by miners, a detached villa In December 1869 residence is in course of erection for the mining company’s manager, and it is stated that the building of another ... “An inquest was held at the Hope Tavern, Holton station, ten cottages will be immediately proceeded with. They are on the 22nd inst., on the body of a miner named John urgently needed. Both lesser and lessees of the iron mine Buxton, who was accidentally crushed in the mine while have reason to be satisfied with their profits: it is rich and running before a truck laden with ore. The truck inexhaustible in metal of a superior quality, but a travelling too fast for him, he stumbled and got jammed continuance of successful working must ... depend upon between it and a post, and received an injury to the spine, skilful and experienced hands, to retain the services of which proved fatal the day after the accident ... Dr. which their domiciliary comfort and convenience must be

8 Stamford Mercury 11th June 1869. I am indebted to Eileen Mumby for copying this and some later reports for me. 9 According to Lincolnshire Industrial Archaeology, Vol. 6, 1971, the mine opened in 1868. 10 Stamford Mercury 31 December 1869. 24 cared for within reasonable distance of their work ...” by tramways with Grimsby, and we are informed that Mr. Tomline’s projected plan will open out this large iron This report went on to inform readers of other changes in field to the world, which, during the last 50 years, we the village and to speculate on the future. have been supplying with the necessary material for its great mechanical contrivances and commercial interests.” Claxby “... now lives, having received an impetus from another cause than that of mining ... Some eighteen years Accidents were frequent at the mine, and were regularly ago the late patron and incumbent of the united Rectory reported in the press. Osgodby School Log Book on 4 of Claxby and Normanby, being then in delicate health February 1870 has this entry:- “Many of the children absent and medically certified to die within the year, sold the on account of the funeral of a young man having met his living to the present Rector, who became curate, and death by an accident at the iron works.” If the Log Books of whilst waiting in patience the event up to a year since, has Claxby School could be located we could learn much more held an anomalous and not very enviable position in the of the mine, the miners, and their children at school. parish. Since coming into his own, to the joy of most of Accidents were reported in April and in May, 1870. the parishioners, he has set about the much needed restoration of St. Mary’s church ... and is also making “... Benj. Hunt and John Coulson ... were seriously considerable additions and improvements to the rectorial injured by the falling in of a large mass just as they were mansion. In all probability the new population will about to remove their waggon full of ironstone. Both were shortly furnish such an increase of Dissenters and of crushed down and shockingly bruised from head to foot, juveniles, that more chapel and school accommodation one of them having a boot sole torn off and the foot will be required. Trade in general will look after its own severely lacerated. Miner-like in foolhardiness, we wants ... but great inconvenience to the transaction of understand they had worked beyond the regulation business and proper entertainment of strangers already distance before shoring up.” arises from the want of a public house in the village, and for this the lord of the soil should be petitioned to grant On Wednesday 18 May “... a miner named John the remedy.” Southwell was at work, when upwards of a ton weight of ironstone and clay fell upon him, causing severe internal In less than a year after this report the Pelham Arms inn injuries, as well as breaking a thigh-bone. The broken had been built in Claxby. We know this because, on the limb was set by Dr. Chalmers, the Mining Co.’s surgeon, 10th August 1871, an inquest was held there under whose care the poor fellow is progressing favourably.” 14 “... on the body of a man who died suddenly at the iron mine on the day previous ... Deceased had been only a Accidents continued to happen and in May 1872 the day or two employed at the mine; his name was Reverend N. H. Sumner, the Curate of Nettleton, wrote to unknown, and there was nothing upon his person to aid the editor of the Stamford Mercury calling the Claxby mine in establishing his identity, beyond two addresses, “that gloomy cavern of disaster.” His letter appears in later supposed to be of lodging houses - one at Lincoln, the other pages: before we read this we will look at the information on at Boston ... The body was interred in Claxby Claxby miners in the enumerators’ reports for the Census of Churchyard. The manager has made it a rule for the 1871. future that every workman engaged shall write his name, In Normanby le Wold there lived in 1871 five ironstone age and belongings in a register at the mine before he miners: of these, three had been born in Lincolnshire, at commences work.” 11 Steeping, and South Kelsey, whilst two had their origins outside the county at Dunton in Bedfordshire and at In September the Miners’ terrace was about to be extended Tavistock in Devon. (The names are in Appendix One). by the building of five more dwellings. The Caistor Two miners lived in Middle Rasen (I am indebted to Tony builder, James Button, was engaged for this work.12 Mr. Wilkins for this information). No fewer than thirty-four Button had already built a first block of ten cottages, miners lived in Nettleton, whilst a few lived in Osgodby and beginning work in March 1870, “... intended for one in Holton le Moor. Local memory suggests that there occupation by the miners, to whom hitherto house were still more mine-workers living as far away as Binbrook accommodation within a reasonable distance has been a who walked daily to work and back. There is one head-stone serious want, and in all probability a considerable village in Claxby churchyard to a Binbrook miner - will soon grow up at this spot.”13 A press cutting (paper unidentified) in Grimsby Library carried the same news In affectionate remembrance of and added:- (19 March 1870) William Keal “... These mines will be placed in direct communication of Binbrook who died at the Claxby Ironworks, July 21st 11 Stamford Mercury 18 August 1871. aged 29 years 12 Stamford Mercury 1 September 1871. 1871 13 Stamford Mercury 1 April, 8 April & 25 May 1870. In the midst of life 14 Stamford Mercury 1 April, 8 April, and 25 May 1870. we are in death.

25 To obtain a complete picture of the mine workers an a fall of a mass of earth in the mine. In May the Curate of examination of the 1871 and 1881 Census returns for all Nettleton wrote to the editor of the Stamford Mercury: parishes in the locality should be made. Only then could we discover whether miners lived in Walesby, Tealby, Kirmond “Sir - Another of our parishioners has succumbed to the le Mire, Binbrook, Rothwell, and other nearby injuries he received on the 25th ult. in that gloomy cavern parishes. Because the enumerators’ returns for the Claxby of disaster, the Claxby iron ore mine. Thomas Baldock census of 1871, 1881 and 1891 have been studied, we know aged 23 died at Lincoln Hospital yesterday. Scarcely a that in Claxby itself in 1871 lived 44 mine workers and that month passes without a serious accident to one or another this number had dropped to 19 by 1881. By 1891 there of the men working at this mine. What is the cause? Is were no longer any miners in Claxby: mining had ceased.15 the mine subject to Government inspection? If not - why? The frequency of serious accidents did not diminish in Would that some gentleman of position and influence in 1871 and 1872. In July 1871: the neighbourhood would act the part of the poor miner’s friend, by taking up this matter and initiating some “... John Foster, a miner, whilst engaged in throwing means of preventing if possible a recurrence of these water to slake the calcined iron clamp outside the Claxby distressing, heartburning accidents. mine, accidentally fell into the midst of the burning mass and was shockingly burnt ... but though subjected to the Yours truly, most humane and judicious treatment lingered only in a M. H. Sumner, Nettleton, May 7th, 1872.” 18 hopeless state. John Dewhirst, whose accident on the 3rd There is no evidence that any ‘gentleman of position and at the same mine we reported, was on the 12th inst. influence in the neighbourhood’ - and several such people removed to the County Hospital, where only, in the lived locally - did act the part of the miner’s friend. doctor’s opinion, such necessary care can be had of his case However, Mr. Sumner’s letter did result in the following as may tend to prolong life, complete recovery being letter to the Editor from the West Yorkshire Iron & Coal Co. impossible.” 16 Ltd.

Public opinion was rightly shocked and the county “Dear Sir, newspaper made these comments17:- Our attention has been drawn to a letter signed ‘M. H. Sumner’ which , if left unanswered might give rise to very “The recent frequency of accidents to life and limb at the erroneous opinions about the ironstone mines at Claxby. Claxby iron mine has naturally drawn public attention to These mines have now been worked for 5 years and the question - Is the safety of the workmen sufficiently or during that time have ... been very free from accidents, reasonably well cared and provided for by the company? and when an accident has occurred it has generally been Many of these men have already acquired a ‘settlement’, from the carelessness of the miner in not using proper and any great increase of these accidents must bring about precautions as to timbering, etc. well, after repeated bankruptcy to their provident societies, with greater precautions, this was the case with Thos. Baldock who demands upon local poor-rates for relief. Formerly, was injured on the 25th ult.: he had hollowed too far whenever an accident occurred, the sufferers were under the stone (technically called ‘holed’) and had not invariably blamed for foolhardiness in having pushed taken the precaution to support the stone with timber, of their workings too far before placing the upright and which there is always plenty at hand. The stone began to transverse timbers in position to secure their own safety; fall and he got practically out of its way or he would have and at length the company wisely employed a staff of been killed on the spot. On this day (25th ult.) I was at workmen specially to attend to the timbering. After all the mines along with Mr. Mammoth, a well-known we are told that the intentions of the former are sure to be mining engineer of this district and left the inside of the frustrated whenever the latter are not sharply looked after, mine ... not long before the accident. Leaving Mr. and hence a great responsibility devolves upon the Mammoth and our steward inside they heard of the manager. From the appointment of Mr. Jont. Robinson, accident and went at once to the poor man’s assistance. as resident manager, more than a year ago, no serious The mine is a very dry one and a good deal safer than accident occurred for many months together, which seems most mines; indeed with ordinary caution on the part of to have been fairly attributable to his sharp looking after the men, accidents would be of rare occurrence. It is the the men’s safety.” wish of the Directors that no expense shall be spared to render the works as safe as possible and Mr. Mammoth However, accidents did continue in 1872: in February has expressed his great satisfaction of all he saw both in George Walker, a miner living in Caistor, was injured. In and out of the mine ... April Richard Maddison was severely bruised and crushed by I am for the company, W. H. England.” 15 Of the 19 miners in 1881 only five had been born outside Lincolnshire: two in Durham, one in Gloucester, one in Bedford and one in Yorkshire. 16 Stamford Mercury 21 July 1871. 17 Stamford Mercury 4 August 1871 18 Stamford Mercury 10 May 1872. 26 Mr. England’s bland letter called for a reply which the the men riddling the ironstone before sending it out of the Stamford Mercury promptly printed:- mine, such extra work to be done without any advance of pay, and to this the men unanimously object. The iron is “That ‘gloomy cavern of disaster’ the Claxby iron mine about equally distributed in a stratum of hard rock, and promises soon to have a list of killed and wounded equal in loose clayey soil above and below it, which it is to a hard fought field of battle. For some time past indispensable to remove. The company prefer the rocky accidents have been alarmingly frequent. It was time that metal on account of its being easier of carriage and less some notice be taken in the very way recently suggested by trouble to smelt ... at their distant furnaces; whilst the Rev. M. H. Sumner of Nettleton. Mr. England’s reply hitherto it has been their practice to first clamp and burn ... was astounding to most people, for its cool denial of the loose or earthy metal upon the spot. Old and facts. The company cannot be so easily exonerated. It is experienced miners assert that to trample under foot and not the sufferers who are to blame for their foolhardiness. leave in the mine all that would pass through the riddle The company should provide sufficient men for the would be a sinful waste of the finest metal. It is hoped timbering to be in all cases done properly, and so prevent this dispute may at once be amicably arranged, since, loss of time to the miners. Also watchful deputies owing to the character of the workings, liable at any time numerous enough to ensure reasonable chance of safety to to cave in, and still more so if disused for a few days only, them whilst at work. The non-provision of stimulants it is hard to determine which side would suffer most and of bandages at or near the mine in case of accidents through a cessation of work.” is also to say the least a strange oversight ... Correspondent.”19 “... we have been requested by the foreman of the ... mine at Claxby to say that the miners are required to leave the Whilst no local gentleman of position and influence fine dirt and clay only in the mine. The small stone, free befriended the miners, the iron-ore miners themselves took from dirt, is acceptable, and that no ‘sinful waste’ of metal steps to protect themselves. Some joined Friendly Societies could accrue from the Company’s insisting upon its being (which gave monetary help in illness, accident and death and riddled. Formerly the men had to load with gripes.” provided invaluable brotherhood). When one such society, the Snowdrop Lodge of the Free Gardeners, held their “Pending some fresh arrangements the miners ... have fourth annual festival on the 17th July at Caistor, “... About ceased work for the present.” one-third of the members, who are principally ironstone miners, marched in procession through the town with a There is no report of the outcome of this dispute. band of music, and dinner and the usual convivialities followed at the George Inn.”20 When a collection of £5. 13s. 1873 opened with the news that the West Yorkshire Iron & 9d. was made in Claxby Wesleyan Chapel around Christmas Coalmine Co. were steadily increasing the numbers employed (a collection for Lincolnshire Hospital) “... of this sum £5. at Claxby: about 250 men were said to be at work there in 3s. 11d. was contributed solely by the ironstone miners ..”21 February. James Button, the Caistor builder, built five more It was early in this year 1872 when tantalising reports cottages for miners and the Stamford Mercury commented suggested that mining operations were to start at Hundon that there was still a great need of more dwellings near the again; “... borings are now about to be made” so as to mine: “... The major part of the workmen have to walk to and establish the amount of iron in that estate, preparatory to from it, the distance varying from three to four miles.” There another offer of terms from the would-be lessee or were further mine accidents in January and news of boring for purchasers to the owner. 22 coal at Otby - “The old residents at Walesby ... have for more 1872 was the year in which the first Farmworkers’ Trade than half a century had their traditions respecting the Unions were started in Lincolnshire. That history appears in certainty of coal deposits in these parts of the Wolds. Should Rex C. Russell: The ‘Revolt of the Field’ in Lincolnshire the tentative operations prove satisfactory, and a productive (published in 1956) and in abbreviated form in the same source be opened out, there is no doubt North Lincolnshire author’s Three Lincolnshire Labourers’ Movements (1994). would hail the event almost as jubilantly as did the Israelites There is no evidence that the ironstone miners joined these the manna in the wilderness.”24 trade unions but, two years before their start, there were reports of discontent at Claxby mine.23 After 1873 newspaper reports of the mines are markedly fewer. In 1875 it was reported that “The greater facility with “A report has been widely circulated that the Claxby iron which the West Yorkshire Iron and Coal Company are able miners are out on strike. Such ... is not yet the fact, to procure the Greetwell ironstone has (for a time, it would although there is reason to fear it may soon become so. seem) caused a very extended diminution of their operations The managers of the West Yorkshire Mining Company, by at the Claxby iron mine, whereat little has been doing for whom this mine is worked, have at length insisted upon some months past.”25 Two years later came report of

19 Stamford Mercury June 1872. 23 Stamford Mercury 26 August, 2 and 9 September 1870. 20 Stamford Mercury 26 July 1872. 24 Stamford Mercury 21 February 1873 (Otby), 7 February 1873 21 Stamford Mercury 27 December 1872. (numbers employed), 14 February 1873 (more housing), and 22 Stamford Mercury 2 February 1872. 31 January 1873 (accidents). 25 Stamford Mercury 12 March 1875. 27 1881 CLAXBY CENSUS: Ironstone Miners

Names Married or Age Places of birth unmarried

Sparling Marris U 40 Claxby Thomas Saunby M 40 Claxby James Kibbell M 39 Gloucestershire / Aldworth William Ruddleham M 36 Yorks / Masborough Thomas Becks U 24 Nettleton Mumby Betts M 31 Normanby le Wold Henry Bellamy M 34 Middle Rasen James Cartwright W 36 (Lodger) Bedford/Millow George Padley M 37 Richard Mundy M 22 Watchman at Ironstone Mine Claxby William Robinson M 36 Pay Clerk at Mine Joseph Brown M 35 Durham/Stanhope Wm. Becks M 33 Labourer at Mine Normanby le Wold Wm. Chapman M 41 Labourer at Mine N.K. John Wellbourne M 32 Labourer at Mine Barton on Humber Alfred Dent M 29 Horse-keeper at Mine Tealby Samuel Clarke 16 Pony Driver at Mine Thomas Smith 14 Furnace Boy at Mine Glentham John Geo. Car M 45 Manager of Ironstone Mine Durham/Hetton

Claxby Terrace = 20 households.

depression which included cessation of work in the mine: in the hill, which require heavy timbering, as there is no February 1882: good roof; the workings began in 1868, and a large quantity of ore was raised annually during the time of “Ironstone mining operations at Claxby have been almost ‘good trade’. With the recent great stagnation in the iron NIL for some time past, but now it is said there will soon trade the amount has decreased, until in 1879 only 323 be a considerable increase in the number of men tons, valued at £49 were raised. employed.”26 The occurrence of fragments of slag, with pieces of It is doubtful whether there was any increase in charcoal and pottery, all mingled together, indicates that employment. The 1881 Census lists only nineteen miners at this bed of ore was known and worked as far back as ... Claxby: the 1891 Census shows that there were no longer the Romans.” any miners in the parish: Claxby had reverted to an agricultural parish. White’s Directory of 1892 repeats the above and makes no mention of any final date of mine closure. In White’s Directory of Lincolnshire for 1882 one can The disturbed nature of the hillside at Normanby and read (page 82): Claxby is evidence of the former mines. Local memories too bear witness of the former mining community. Entries in “At Acre House, between Claxby and Nettleton, a bed of the church Baptism Registers of Claxby and of Nettleton iron ore .. has been largely worked ... name the sons and daughters of miners and the church ... The ore ... yields, on analysis, from 28 to 33 per cent Marriage Registers of Nettleton record miners’ marriages. of metallic iron. The great value of this ore consists in its Search in other Registers in nearby parishes would provide adaptability for smelting in admixture with the more information. argillaceous ores of the coal measures. This useful bed of For more than eighty years after mine-working ceased the ironstone averages 6 feet 6 inches in thickness; the Miners’ Terraces still stood in Claxby. Sadly they were ironstone beds have been traced as far northwards as demolished in 1972/3. Articles about this demolition Hundon, and a thin seam extends southwards to Tealby appeared in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph dated 21 ... The ore is worked by galleries driven into the side of November 1972 and 25 January 1973; there were similar

26 Stamford Mercury 21 December 1877 & 17 February 1882.

28 The Miners’ Terrace: from a painting by Joan Mostyn-Lewis news items in the Lincolnshire Chronicle, 26 January 1973 full story will never be complete. We know nothing of the and in the Market Rasen Mail of 15 January 1972. The wages of the miners: we can guess that they were a few pence Rasen Mail article, especially is worth reading critically. It more than those of farmworkers - when the latter earned 2s. deals with ‘The decline of Claxby’ and has a little on the 6d. a day the miners may have got 2s. 9d. Nothing is known mines. as to where the miners went after the closure of the mines. There is still much to be discovered about the history of Did some go to mines at Greetwell, others to Scunthorpe? the mines, and unless fresh documents become available the How many stayed in Claxby in new jobs?

The rear of the Miners’ Terrace: from a painting by Joan Mostyn-Lewis 29 APPENDIX ONE Some Ironstone Miners and other mine employees from the 1871 Census

Names Married or Age Place of Birth unmarried

A Normanby le Wold 1. Thomas Tole, U 25 Lodger Dunton, Bedfordshire 2. John Hill, U 32 Lodger Tavistock, Devon 3. William Houghton, U 20 Lodger Steeping, Lincs. 4. George Bellhouse M 39 Sudbrooke, Lincs. 5. Richard Hill U 24 S. Kelsey, Lincs.

B. Middle Rasen 1. John Southwell M 36 Northamptonshire 2. Charles Bellamy M 29 Middle Rasen, Lincs.

C. Nettleton 1. George Evratt U 29 Lincs. - Middle Rasen 2. John Lincoln, U 25 Lodger Norfolk - Tibits Hall 3. John Robinson M 57 Lodger Lincs. - Rothwell 4. Francis Lacey, M 31 Lincs. - 5. Charles Musk, U 26 Lodger Derbyshire - Edall 6. John Smith, U 26 Lodger Derbyshire - Staveley 7. David Skelton, U 40 Lodger Lincs. - Caistor 8. George Parker M 23 Lincs. - Nettleton 9. Samuel Frow M 36 Lincs. - Nettleton 10. Wm. Smith M 25 On Ship Board 11. George Padley M 27 Lincs. - Mareham le Fen 12. George Bilton U 14 Lincs. - Caistor 13. Jesse Wellbourne M 35 Lincs. - 14. John Balderson M 50 Lincs. - Caistor 15. Joseph Balderson Lincs. - Nettleton 16. James Temple, U 27 Lodger Lincs. - 17. Samuel Temple, U 17 Lodger Lincs. - Coningsby 18. James Lilley, U 22 Lodger Lincs. - Coningsby 19. William Jackling U 26 Lincs. - Nettleton 20. Wm. Sturdy? 30 Lodger Yorks. - Pickering 21. Wm. Fox U 15 Lincs. - Nettleton 22. Charles Kidd M 31 Norfolk - Thornag? 23. Wm. Appleyard M 42 Lincs. - 24. David Faith M 25 Yorks. - ? Whorlton 25. Robert E. Osgerby 13 Lincs. - N. Kelsey 26. George Stordy, U 26 Lodger Yorks. - Pickering 27. Edward Hand M 28 Lincs. - Nettleton 28. John Baldock M 26 Lincs. - Nettleton 29. Wm. Green, U 36 Lodger Yorks. - ? Seatonthorpe 30. Thomas Clark, M 37 Lodger Yorks. - Ryehill 31. George Cowley M 31 Notts. - Rothamsall 32. Charles Hand M 30 Lincs. - Nettleton 33. Jeffery Dinsdale M 27 Yorks. - ? Hose 34. Charles Pinder M 32 Lincs. - Kirton

30 D Claxby 1. John Baxter U 13 Driver in Mines Kirton 2. Edward Baxter M 34 Miner Kirton 3. David Hubbert U 35 Miner Hagworthingham 4. Phillip Markham U 24 Miner Grasby 5. John Markham U 34 Miner Grasby 6. William Keale U 30 Miner Binbrook 7. Thomas Saunby M 30 Butcher & Miner Claxby 8. Joseph Paynel W 50 Deputy in Mines Gloucestershire 9. Job Lowe M 51 Miner S. Staffs. 10. George Baker U 38 Ironstone Labourer 11. Charles Mower U 28 Ironstone Labourer Utterby 12. John Robinson M 33 Labourer in Iron Works Claxby 13. William Jackson U 35 Labourer in Iron Works Langtoft 14. Richard Bowman M 42 Engine Fitter Yorks. - Leeds 15. John Bowman U 20 Miner Yorks. - Hull 16. George Marshall U 24 Miner Claxby, Lincs. 17. Benjamin Booth U 30 Miner Boston?, Lincs. 18. William Godbold U 27 Ironstone Miner Littleport, Cambs 19. George Breckley U 27 Ironstone Miner Scotland - Edinburgh 20. Thomas Bassan U 30 Ironstone Miner Norfolk - Lynn 21. Tom Lincoln U 25 Ironstone Miner Norfolk - Lynn 22. Jonathan Robinson M 49 Mine Agent Durham - Weardale 23. Thomas Hitchcock M 50? Miner Yorks. - Bromsgrove 24. Henry Bellamy M 29 Miner Middle Rasen 25. John Saley M 38 Miner Staffs. - Wedsbro’ 26. Ted Hanson U 17? Miner Leics. - Leicester 27. William Jenkinson M 36 Miner Yorks. - Bradford 28. James Watson M 36 Miner Cambs. - Wisbech 29. John Foxley M 66 Ironstone Miner Warwicks. 30. William Lacey U 67 Miner Walesby, Lincs. 31. Joseph Selby M 43 Ironstone Miner South Kelsey, Lincs. 32. William Peniston M 29 Miner Lincs. 33. John Stephenson U 16 Driver in Mines , Lincs. 34. Thomas Blewitt U 22 Miner Cornwall 35. John Foster U 28 Miner , Lincs. 36. John Coulbeck U 37 Miner Cambridge 37. Wm. Whiting M 44 Miner Gloucester 38. James Baldock M 49 Miner ?Lincs. / Barkwith 39. Ezekiel Hayward M 32 Ironstone Miner Staffs. 40. Edward Palmer M 30 Miner ? Shropshire 41. Wm. Birchnall M 35 Miner Yorkshire 42. John Rimmington W 27 Miner Durham 43. Wm. Hart M 26 Miner Yorks. - York 44. Nathan Palmer M 32 Miner and Yorks. - Primitive Local Preacher

31 APPENDIX TWO - Population Growth & Decline: Normanby & Claxby

NORMANBY CLAXBY TOTAL

1801 77 136 213 1811 86 159 245 1821 96 184 280 1831 122 205 327 1841 129 220 349 1851 149 262 411 1861 138 237 375 1871 162 357 579 1881 142 325 467 1891 139 226 365 1901 128 237 365 1911 106 202 308 1921 107 206 313 1931 108 203 311 NO CENSUS IN 1941 1951 99 180 279 1961 87 173 260 1971 85 145 230 1981 56 162 218

Normanby smaller in 1981 than in 1801. Consistent decline in population from 162 in 1871 down to 56 in 1981 - a loss of 106 people.

Claxby: a little larger in 1981 than in 1801, but decline of 195 from 357 in 1871.

Combined population The highest population was reached in 1871 (579): the population in 1981 was 218 - a decline of 361.

32 APPENDIX THREE - Claxby: The Evidence for Population Movement: Census Returns Compared

Where had Claxby 1851 1871 1881 1891 Parishioners been born?

Total Population 262 357 325 226 Number born in Claxby 104 - 39.7% 97 - 27.2% 107 - 32.9% 91 - 40.3% Number born elsewhere in Lincolnshire 140 - 53.4% 144 - 40.3% 181 - 55.7% 116 - 51.3% Number born in other English counties 15 - 5.7% 90 - 25.2% 33 - 10.1% 17 - 7.5% Number born outside England NIL 2 - 0.6% NIL NIL number illegible and not known 3 24 - 6.7% 4 2

Number born in Lincolnshire (excluding Claxby) in 1851 - 140 These had been born in 71 different Lincolnshire parishes: these parishes:-

Tealby, Normanby le Wold, Grimsby, , Walesby, , Caistor, Nettleton, Binbrook, Holton-le-Clay, Kingerby, North Kelsey, Market Rasen, , Epworth, Owersby, Holton-le-Moor, Rothwell, Searby, , South Willingham, South Kelsey, Tetford, Welbourne, Wootton, , Limber.

(In each of the above parishes more than one person living in Claxby in 1851 had been born.)

In each of the following 44 parishes ONE person resident in Claxby in 1851 had been born.

Aylesby, , Barnetby le Wold, Beesby, , Brigg, , , , Elsham, , , Hagworthingham, , Hykeham, , , Gainsborough, , Kelsey, , Kirton Lindsey, , Louth, Middle Rasen, , Ludford, Marsh Chapel, Marston, , Kime, Osgodby, , , Scotherne, Scunthorpe, Sixhills, , Swallow, , Thornton, , .

The 1871 Census Returns reveal that the 144 people who had been born in Lincolnshire - but not in Claxby - had originated in 75 different Lincolnshire parishes.

In the 1881 Census the 181 persons born in Lincolnshire but not in Claxby, originated in 79 different Lincolnshire parishes.

The comparable figure for 1891 was 65 Lincolnshire parishes.

More evidence for the movement of Claxby parishioners.

The Birth-places of all Married Couples 1851 1871 1881 1891

Total number of married couples 38 - 100% 55 - 100% 35 - 100% Both partners born in Claxby NIL NIL NIL One partner born in Claxby 17 - 44.7% 13 - 23.6% 10 - 28.6% Neither partner born in Claxby 21 - 53.3% 42 - 76.4% 25 - 71.4%

33 APPENDIX FOUR Examples of Emigration Notices (from the Stamford Mercury)

December 26th, 1873. January 7th, 1876. “Free Passages to New Zealand. Free Passages are granted “FREE EMIGRATION TO by the Government of New Zealand as under:- NEW ZEALAND. To Married and Single Agricultural Labourers, FREE PASSAGES are granted by the Government of Navvies, Ploughmen, Shepherds, Mechanics, etc.; New Zealand as under:- also to Female Domestic Servants, as Cooks, To Married and Single Agricultural Labourers, Navvies, Housemaids, Nurses, General Servants, Dairy Ploughmen, Shepherds, Mechanics, etc.; also to Single Maids, etc.” Female Domestic Servants, as Cooks, Housemaids, Nurses, General Servants, Dairy Maids, etc. March 6th, 1874. For terms and conditions apply personally or by letter, to Assisted Passages to S. Australia the AGENT-GENERAL for NEW ZEALAND, 7 Emigration to Adelaide, South Australia Westminster-Chambers, London, S.W.; or to Mr. Wm. Assisted Passages BANKS, Secretary Amalgamated Labour League, 5 “The Government of S. Australia grant Passages to the Witham Street, Boston.” following persons:- 1. Artisans, Agricultural and other Labourers, Miners February 4th, 1876. and Gardeners under 50 years of age. “FREE EMIGRATION TO 2. Single Female Domestic Servants, or Widows (without QUEENSLAND. children under 12) not exceeding 40 years of age. Free Passages are granted by the Government to Female Subject to the payments as under:- Domestic Servants of all kinds, who are quite free to For Males or Females, under 12 years of age, £3 engage with whom they please at the best wages they can each; over 12 and under 40, £4 each; over 40 and get. Wages £25 to £50 a year, all found. Free Passages under 50, £8 each. Persons paying their own given to Agricultural Labourers, whether married or Passage receive a Land Warrant of the value of £20. single. Wages £30 to £50 a year, with board and lodging. Handbook descriptive of the colony gratis on Assisted Passages to Mechanics on payment of £4. Wages application ...” as under:- Blacksmiths, 12s. to 14s. a day; Carpenters, 12s. to 14s.; Shoemakers, 9s. to 10s.; Shipwrights 10s. to July 21st, 1876. 12s.; Tailors 9s. to 10s.; Miners 10s. to £1. The above “FREEHOLD FARMSTEADS IN need not want work a single hour after landing - Apply NEW ZEALAND. personally or by letter to AGENT GENERAL for Manchester Special Settlement, Province of Wellington. QUEENSLAND, 32 Charing Cross, London, S.W.; or to Free Passages to the Lands of the Corporation are granted W. Banks, 10 New St., Boston; C. M. Hodgett, Post to Farmers, Farm Labourers, Rough Carpenters, Navvies, Office, ; T. Watmough, 6 Bank St., Lincoln; and others. - Apply to Emigrant and Colonist Aid Jas. Newman, Long Sutton; and Hy. Watkinson, Free Corporation (Limited), 25 Queen Anne’s Gate, Press Office, Spalding.” Westminster, London, S.W.” July 18th, 1879. June 15th, 1877. Public Notice. “Free Emigration to New Zealand-FREE PASSAGES “TO CANADA for FOUR POUNDS will be given during the Summer and Autumn months to Reduction in Fares by the Beaver Line. Female Domestic Servants, Farm Labourers, Shepherds, EMIGRANTS can now be booked by the splendid and Bricklayers, and Carpenters. -Apply to the Agent- powerful Steamers of the Canada Shipping Company at General for New Zealand, 7 Westminster Chambers, the reduced rates of Four Pounds to CANADA and FIVE London, S.W.” GUINEAS to the UNITED STATES. For further particulars apply to ...”

34 2. LIFE IN 20th CENTURY CLAXBY Elizabeth Holmes

1 INTRODCTION

In 1900 Claxby’s population was about 235. There was a significant number of the villagers lived in the Terrace, also schoolmaster, a blacksmith who shoed horses and made and known as Miner’s Row, two blocks each of 10 terraced mended a range of metal agricultural equipment, a houses located on Pelham Road. All of the Terrace and some wheelwright, an important trade when most goods were other cottages have been demolished. transported in wooden wheeled wagons of various sorts, a There was a water supply to the main part of the village, post office, which incorporated a grocer’s shop and patent piped from a cistern just below St Peter’s Cottage to five medicine vendor, and a bootmaker. Much of the land was pumps spread across the settlement. Some houses also had still owned by Lord Yarborough who rented it out in large a well in the garden. The Terrace had just one tap serving all and small holdings. The church was the only other landlord. twenty households supplied from a nearby spring. Isolated Tithe rents were paid to the Rector who had one of the farms and cottages, in the parish, but not close to the village, wealthiest livings in the diocese and who was also rector of had to rely on streams, or wells. The railway crossing St Peter’s, Normanby le Wold, employing a curate to help keeper’s house had no water supply. It was brought on a him. The two villages were much more closely associated daily basis by railway wagon until very recently. There was than they are today. Many Claxby men worked for the two no sewage system and no septic tanks, just outside lavatories big farmers in Normanby. Non conformists in Normanby and buckets. Lighting was by candle or oil lamp and of attended one of the two chapels in Claxby, fund raising was course there was no radio, television or telephone. Even often carried out on a combined basis and there seems to daily papers, expensive luxuries, were only for the very well have been a great deal of socialising off. Most people took their news from the local weekly Some of the families living in the parish in 1900 have paper which printed both national and international news as names familiar to us now such as Bristow, Cade, Maultby, well as the purely local. Saunby, Sharp and Surfleet. The principal residences in the Claxby wasn’t unique anymore as it had been when the village were the Rectory, occupied by Rev Andrews since ironstone mine was open. With its closure Claxby had 1869, Claxby House, home of George Joseph Young, a reverted to being one of a number of rural communities, farmer who also farmed in Kingerby and The Cottage in relying for its living on agriculture. Its concerns were similar Boggle Lane lived in by Edward Canty retired schoolmaster, to those of the rest of the wold farming villages, and the his wife and children. same issues affected its future. Food prices, availability of Most people worked in agriculture either directly on the agricultural goods from overseas and many national and land as labourers, wagoners, farmers and cottagers, or in international events had a profound effect on its prosperity. related occupations such as blacksmith or wheelwright. A It is therefore necessary to place the development of the few worked for the railway as platelayers, crossing keepers or village in its regional, national and international context. signalmen. Most women probably worked as domestic In 1900 the British Empire was somewhere near its zenith servants. There is no record that any gentlemen lived in the and, in need of men to govern, develop and rule, it gave the village although G J Young of Claxby House had been opportunity to a wide range of Britons to seek an alternative described as such in earlier directories. Most people walked life. We have already seen in previous chapters to work or lived on the job. Some people were lucky enough advertisements for settlers to go out to the original colonies to own bicycles and the Great Central Railway stopped at of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and Claxby and Usselby station. . people from Claxby had already taken up the challenge. The There were two Methodist Chapels, Wesleyan and Market Rasen Mail reprinted in 1907, part of an article in Primitive Methodist and St Mary’s Church. The school an Australian paper about George Coulson, son of the late which had opened in 1859 and was built for up to 100 had Mr T Coulson of Claxby and in 1912, Joseph Ellis who had about 63 pupils, aged from five to 14 and probably had two emigrated to Canada returned to marry Charlotte Brown at or three teachers. The headmistress was Miss Fanny Canty St Mary’s Church and take her to Toronto. The Armed and she had two sisters Miss Alice and Miss Nellie Canty Forces gave another escape from the rural life. On 28 April both of whom taught in the school at times. Whether or not 1900 the Market Rasen Mail printed a letter from Private E all three sisters taught at the same time is not clear. They Bellamy, of the Lincolnshire Regiment, who had friends in were all daughters of the last schoolmaster. Claxby. He was serving in Quaggersfontern, South Africa The village would have looked rather different from and described the poor conditions under which he was today. The first houses coming down Normanby Rise would serving. In a footnote the paper said that ‘his mother had have been the semi detached cottages now called Sunnyside five sons, four joined the army, one drowned in the Nile in and Windyridge, although they were probably flat fronted. the Sudan campaign, one had completed his time and was There were only a few houses along Mulberry Road, which living in Ashby and two were still serving Queen and was metalled, but not tarred, and had no footpath. A country’. Therefore although the village was isolated, many

35 of its inhabitants would have had a keen interest in the wider that miners take a cut in pay because of economic world. depression. Agriculture was also deeply affected. Even at the beginning of the century Claxby was seen as Mechanisation and the introduction of new crops therefore, small, sleepy and remote. Market Rasen had grown in the came slowly into the very traditional and largely railway age and was the market town for the district, with a impoverished wolds farming communities. weekly livestock and grain market. It was the local shopping Electricity came into the villages more slowly than into centre for items not available at the village shops although the towns, where it was commonplace by the late 1920s. It there was already a tendency for people to travel to Lincoln. arrived in Claxby in 1936 although there were only 8 There was a bewildering variety of associations in the town subscribers initially. Before that radio and crystal sets, easily both cultural like the operatic society and more mundane built by the technically minded, and powered by like the pig club and the various friendly societies. The accumulators, were putting people in direct touch with Market Rasen Mail, started in the mid 1850s, regarded itself national events through the British Broadcasting Company as the spokesman for the area and reported in detail on local which was transmitting from the 1920s. It also allowed the council meetings and the activities of the churches and listener to become familiar with the great artists and chapels. As it does today it recorded the happenings in the celebrities of the day. Before this few people had heard their local villages. Many villages such as Binbrook, Tealby and sovereign or Prime Minister speak; they wouldn’t have Osgodby had regular articles. Claxby was mentioned from recognised their voices. Telephones too began to be used in time to time. Clearly it was not a regular provider of news this same period, the earliest known subscriber in Claxby although a few of its inhabitants such as the Rector and was W C Bristow in 1932. Gerard Young of Claxby House were influential in the town. This same W C Bristow was also involved with Although conditions for the agricultural worker had developing coach tours and holidays. He was a local improved since the beginning of the previous century, life Thomas Cook. More of him later. for all but the well off was still hard. The agricultural slump The Second World War finally confirmed and made which had begun in the previous century did not start to lift irreversible changes that had been initiated in the first war until the First World War and then only for the duration of and then aborted or delayed because of the slow growth of the war. Families were large, serious illness and early death prosperity in the rural areas. The role of women started to not uncommon and there was no state support for the change much more profoundly and swiftly. Mass transport, worker who fell on hard times. From 1908 the introduction the wider availability of further and higher education, the of Old Age Pensions eased the position of some of the break down of hierarchies and an increasing variety of poorest. Those not covered even by this restricted support employment opportunities all contributed to life changing had the dubious alternative of seeking out-relief from into that with which we are familiar today. Caistor Poor Law. The criminal law still dealt harshly with However the country didn’t immediately recover after the those who committed small misdemeanours although the Second World War. People were weary, life was drab, threat of transportation had gone. In 1905 John Rowell, a rationing continued for another 10 years for some items. signalman at Claxby, found guilty of trespassing in search of Labour became increasingly scarce in the country as the rabbits was fined 25/- and 4/6d costs, a very large sum for a relatively higher wages in industry, the lack of decent public working man, and in 1911 a rag gatherer who stole a man’s transport in small villages and the modern attractions of cloth jacket and 1/4 lb of bread and jam at Claxby was urban life tempted the farmworker. Caistor RDC sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment with hard labour. campaigned for much of the 1950s and 60s to improve Only three years after that prosecution the country faced public transport in its area. For several years after the war up to the First World War. This sucked thousands of men farmers relied heavily on prisoners of war to get the harvest off the land and out of industry. This war was the first in. Taxation, inflation and the scarcity of domestic labour when, in order to keep the country fighting, it was made the life of the upper classes less comfortable and acknowledged that women had to take over at least some of caused the abandonment and demolition of some of the the jobs their menfolk had left in order to go to the front. larger houses in the area. The Chief Planning Officer for As in all recent wars it also acted as a catalyst for the rapid Caistor RDC stated in 1955 that the villages were in a state development of new techniques. Mechanisation had of flux because of the mobility of farm labour and of certainly already begun, but the First World War saw the mechanisation. In common with other rural communities development of tanks in Lincoln and the introduction of the population continued to decline; Claxby recorded its tracks to move them over difficult terrain. Aircraft saw rapid lowest level in 1971 when it fell to just 145. development both in technical innovation and reliability as By the 1970s a fundamental change in the make up of the did motor vehicles. The development of the combustion village had occurred. In 1900 over 90% of the community engine had a profound effect on life in the twentieth century. was dependent on agriculture for its living. By the 1970s The slump which followed the Armistice in 1919 and this figure had dropped significantly and many people living lasted until the late 1930s greatly affected people’s lives. in the village were travelling daily to work in the nearby Wages were low, opportunities for development were limited towns and in the Humber Bank industrial and chemical and landlords were reluctant to improve their land or plants. Without access to detailed census returns it is not introduce new techniques because they saw no prospect of a possible to be entirely accurate but recollections of long term decent return for their investments. The national strike in village residents suggest that perhaps only 30-40% of 1926 was triggered by the demand from coal mine owners villagers were associated with agriculture. Certainly a survey

36 carried out by Alex Randall in 1996 found that only about commuters and the retired constituted a significant 23% of households in the village had even one member proportion of the community and children represented a associated with agriculture. The age makeup of the village much smaller part of the total. Claxby had, in effect, had also changed. There were fewer children in each become a commuter village, few inhabitants had even a household and more retired people than there had been remote connection with agriculture. earlier in the century. By the end of the century, therefore

2 VILLAGE ORGANISATION, HOUSING AND SERVICES

In 1900 the total population of the village was about 235, demolished, one at the Rectory, one partway down St Mary’s having fallen from 357 when the mine was in production. It Lane also demolished and there were farmers, workmen and continued to dwindle until 1971 when it fell to just 145, their families living on the substantial farms in the parish. before making a modest recovery. The village looked Some outlying cottages have also disappeared. Lloyds Farm different. The street layout was the same as it is today but and a cottage beside the road leading to Claxby House Farm there were big greens at the corner of Mulberry Road and were occupied well within living memory. The most densely Normanby Rise and at the Pelham Road/ St Mary’s Lane populated area was the Terrace, twenty houses altogether, junction. At this latter junction stood the original Wesleyan beyond the school (Viking Centre). All the houses and cottages, except the Rectory, were owned and rented by the Yarborough Estate . The footpaths played a significant role in the movement of villagers. They were used for getting to and from work and school rather than primarily for leisure as is the case today. However, conversations with villagers who were children before and after the war Wesleyan Methodist Chapel circa 1900 suggested that the young people at least roamed at Methodist Chapel still very much in use in 1900. There were will over the fields and hillside and paid very little attention far fewer houses on Normanby Rise; just the Primitive to the footpaths. There have been changes in the routes of Methodist Chapel, the two semi-detached cottages, some of the footpaths. The path that currently follows the Sunnyside and Windyridge, two semi detached cottages now hedge parallel to Claxby House Farm up onto the Wolds together called Delves Cottage and Langham House. Along once went diagonally across the field on the village side of Mulberry Road there were two pairs of semi detached the hedge. Some have disappeared, a footpath used to run cottages, the Blacksmith’s House and at the end two houses from Valley Farm to St Mary’s Lane past a now demolished standing opposite each other. Round the corner there was house beyond the Barn. only Valley Farm before one reached the corner of St Mary’s There were several centres of activity; the school, the Lane where Corner House stood with the Methodist Chapel church and the two chapels, two grocers shops, and the on one corner and a cottage on the other. There were also blacksmiths and wheelwrights workshops. The latter two four cottages on Boggle Lane one of which has been would have been busy during daylight hours with horses being brought for shoeing, agricultural tools being made and mended and, at the wheelwrights, wagons being mended and other carpentry work being done. As was usual in those days the carpenter was also the village undertaker so whenever someone died there would have been a coffin to be made and all other arrangements for the funeral to be completed. Probably the most important place for hearing gossip and generally finding out what was going on would have been the Post Office and shops. The village had two shops and a Post Office for the first fifty years of the century. In 1900 according to Kelly’s Directory William Charles Bristow, John Bristow’s great uncle, was the sub Postmaster but he Lloyds Farm

37 was also the grocer, patent medicine vendor and the annuity been doing a post round in and around the village for the and insurance officer. The sub post office/shop was beside last several years so knew the routines well. They had to John Bristow’s present house. John also believes that there collect the post every morning from Claxby station until it was a bootmaker within the Post Office/shop. Kellys records closed in 1960 and from Holton le Moor station thereafter, that Trevor Robert was the bootmaker but doesn’t list his carrying it back by bicycle. Bill covered the villages on the place of work. John Surfleet remembers a small cobblers other side of the railway line. Kath’s round took her all shop in the grounds of Saywell’s house in the late 1920s but round the village, up the hill to Normanby and along to whether this was as well as or instead of the one at Bristows Nettleton mine. She bought a scooter but it wasn’t powerful corner has not been established. By 1905 Shepherd Bristow, enough to carry her and the post up the hill so she used to the blacksmith had taken over as sub Postmaster and the walk beside it with the engine running. Later she bought a post office had moved to his house, now The Old Smithy. motor bike and that could cope with the hill. It apparently The post office continued there for many years, latterly run upset the Post Office as she was told that she should walk. by Gladys Bristow who also sold sweets. Shepherd Bristow She wasn’t even provided with a bicycle. This provoked was also the grocer, patent medicine vendor and insurance some correspondence in the Rasen Mail. ‘Threepenny post’ officer. By 1909 although Shepherd Bristow still had the said it was a nonsense and if she had the gumption to post office there were two new shopkeepers, William provide herself with a motor bike she should be allowed to Crawford and Alfred Shepherd. Alfred Shepherd was use it. probably a relation of Shepherd Bristow. That shop In addition to the shops in the village a number of remained in Alfred Shepherd’s hands until 1919 when Aaron travelling shops called here. They had probably been Bristow took it over. William Charles Bristow, John coming for years, some even before the advent of motor Bristow’s father, had taken over by 1926. Whether or not transport. In 1962 there were apparently 27 tradesmen the shop ever moved from Bristows house at the corner of coming to the village each week but this would have Mulberry Road and Normanby Rise to the smithy is not included some coming more than once. Residents of the clear but seems unlikely. village recall the following: The other shop was in the Terrace. William Crawford’s wife, Mary, took over from him when he concentrated on ❑ Maurice Abbot, knitting wools, shampoos and farming and by 1922 Harold Sharp was listed as the hair spray; shopkeeper. By 1933 Harold had handed it over to Cyril, ❑ Ken Barr, coalman of Claxby; his brother and Cyril’s wife, Michael Sharp’s mother ran it. ❑ Bates, milkman of Market Rasen; George Surfleet, John and Motley Brant and others ❑ Sid Beaumont, fishmonger (probably after Jack remember the shop in the Terrace. They used to slip down Train); there to buy a pennyworth of sweets. Sometime around ❑ Briggs, ironmonger and paraffin sales of 1947 Bill Thompson took it over and later moved it to Caistor; South View in Boggle Lane. The shops would have sold a ❑ Burns, bakers of Market Rasen who became wide variety of those goods available at the time which Starbucks, came twice a week; would have included food, clothes and possibly some small ❑ Burrell, chemist, of Market Rasen, paraffin ironmongery and electrical items. Bristows shop closed in washing powder and make up; 1949/50 soon after W C Bristow retired and moved to Elvin ❑ Co-operative, grocers of Market Rasen Garth. His daughter, Christine ran it for only a short time. ❑ Cottinghams bakers and grocers of Market Arthur Maultby whose uncles had two farms in the village Rasen, came twice a week; recalls that the shop in the Terrace had a wider range of items ❑ Harry Douthwaite used to come round on a bicycle ; than Bristows shop but Eileen Wilmot nee Willey ❑ Mrs Hall, haberdashery and drapery (as Miss remembers lodging her ration book at Bristows during the Tomlinson she had been a teacher at the war. It is probable that each shop simply served those living school until she married and had to resign); nearest. Goods would have been sold loose by weight. Kath ❑ Hewitts, grocers of Osgodby; Bunford came to work in Bill Thompson’s shop in 1953 and ❑ Horsefield, ironmonger and paraffin sales; later married him. She remembers that they sold butter, lard ❑ Leaning, butchers of Tealby, came twice a week; and cheese by weight, slicing it off large blocks. They had ❑ Mounceys, grocer of Tealby; no refrigeration in the 1950s. They also sold sugar, flour and ❑ Melbourns, grocer, of Walesby; biscuits and other dry goods by weight rather than by the ❑ Noons, grocer, of Glentham; packet. The shop provided some drapery items, knitting ❑ Robinson and Marshall, grocer of Market Rasen wools and paraffin which was supplied either in 5 gallon ❑ Roy Pickering, greengrocer, of Osgodby; drums or in smaller quantities into the customer’s own ❑ Smiths, coal merchant of Grimsby; container. Bill also had a grocery round which covered ❑ Tasker, butcher, of Market Rasen; many local villages including, Normanby, Rothwell, ❑ Jack Train, fishmonger (in the 1940s/1950s); Thoresway, Caistor, Nettleton and Moortown. They sold ❑ Wilkinson, coal merchants of Claxby Station; goods on credit and accepted payments by weekly ❑ Wilkinson, milkman of Osgodby. instalments as people often couldn’t afford to pay for everything they needed. It incorporated the Post Office in By the late 1960s life was becoming difficult for village 1961 when Gladys Bristow retired. Bill and Kath had each shopkeepers. Despite the grocery round and the Post Office

38 Bill could see that a village shop was becoming an Coulson. The clerk to the council was G E Canty, son of uneconomic proposition. People had become more mobile, Edward the retired schoolmaster. It had been elected had developed a taste for a wider range of goods than a small annually until 1901. Thereafter elections were held every shop could possibly stock and were using the village shop for three years. The parish council was responsible for top up items only. On 31 August 1973 the Thompson’s nominating the overseers and the parish constables, decided that they could continue no longer and closed the repairing gates and stiles across footpaths and negotiating shop and post office. The village appeared to be without a with Caistor Rural District Council for services. It also had sub post office for some months or even a year or so after representatives on the school board of managers and on the that as pensions were paid for one hour each week at the Bell’s almshouses management committee which supervised village hall. The Post Office re opened sometime before the almshouses at Kingerby. The RDC was responsible for November 1975 at 4 Cherry Lea run by Mrs Welch. She housing, water, although there were complications in the and her husband returned to Northumberland in 1980 and case of Claxby and Normanby, health, roads, the poor rate the PO was taken over by Mrs Brumpton who later moved and workhouse through the Board of Guardians. Gerard it to 2, Chapel Bungalows. It moved again to 2, Wold View Young was Claxby’s representative on Caistor Rural District in the early 1990s where it became a part time office. The Council. He was succeeded in 1909 by Mr J Hewitt who Scotherns at Wold View finally closed it in June 1994. The was a stalwart of the Wesleyan Chapel. There appeared to Post Office couldn’t find an applicant to take it on. have been a fairly robust attitude to parish council elections The mobile shops suffered from the same difficulties as and councillors changed quite often. By 1901 W C Bristow the village shops and they too stopped trading around the and T Coulson were replaced by Fred Sharp, wheelwright same time that Claxby shop closed. The last one to give up and Shepherd Bristow, blacksmith. Elections were by show was Roy Pickering. He carried on until the 1980s or even of hand in those early days. Only if a candidate requested later. Of course the village does still have a milkman 3 days did a ballot have to be taken. The parish records show that a week and other deliveries are made but these are usually to beaten candidates did sometimes ask for this but there is no order only. evidence that such ballots gave any different result. In the early years of the century the great majority of the The water supply for Claxby and Normanby was a men in the village would have been working in agriculture in problem for at least the first half of the Twentieth Century. some form. Hours were long. In winter virtually all the In 1912 Caistor Rural District Council said that Claxby had daylight hours on Monday to Saturday would have been a continuous water supply from water impounded in the spent at work although farmers may have given a half day on hills and piped to its destination. This may have been Saturday. In summer farmworkers worked from 6.30am to installed at the end of the nineteenth century. Before that 5pm Monday -Friday, possibly a half day on Saturdays and water came from five pumps scattered through the village or longer during harvest. Stockmen would have had to see to from open wells. Pollution in the piped water had allegedly their animals on Sundays as well. A significant number of been reduced by piping it from the spring to the reservoir. men worked for the railway. There were platelayers, signal The bed of the reservoir had been laid in concrete. This men, crossing keepers and a station master who lived at reservoir also supplied Normanby by a hydraulic ram and Claxby and Usselby Station. In addition some men worked there were occasions when there was not enough water for at Nettleton Mine which paid better wages than did both villages and Normanby, at the top of the hill, was agriculture. deprived. The Caistor RDC report also said that twenty Sunday was the only time when agricultural workers had houses in Claxby Terrace had a good supply of water. This any leisure. For most of the village Sunday would have amounted to one tap for all twenty houses from a nearby meant going to church or chapel at least once and probably spring and it contained small red worms. Past residents of twice and the children would have attended Sunday School. the Terrace can remember seeing them wriggling in the Lincolnshire had embraced Methodism very heartily and bottom of the enamel buckets they used to collect the water. Sunday School for children was an important institution. Even this limited water supply was to the main part of the More about the church and chapels can be read in the village only. In 1914 the RDC was concerned about the chapter on Religion. supply of water to five houses somewhere near the Market Outside school hours there would have been plenty of Rasen to Caistor road. Some of the unlucky occupiers there children about, the average attendance at school in 1900 was had to fetch water from the beck, others from wells. It was 63 so we can assume the total number on roll was higher. still concerned in 1965 when the very same houses were Some of these came from Normanby and a few from reported as having defective water supplies! The crossing Usselby, although some Usselby children attended Osgodby keepers house and presumably the station masters house at School, but the majority were from Claxby. Of course the railway crossings were supplied daily by the railway. schooling finished at age 14 so their older brothers and In 1939 the Medical Officer for Caistor RDC said that sisters would still have been hard at work when the school the water supply from the reservoir, derived and piped from closed for the day. springs, contained bacillus coli from a stream used by cattle The village was run very much as it is today. In 1900 which flowed into the reservoir. At least some Normanby parish councils were relatively new institutions. In Claxby residents collected their drinking water from the Walkwell the parish councillors were Gerard Young JP, Chairman, which was thought to be clean. The Medical Officer said farmer of Claxby House, George Maultby, farmer, W C Claxby had no water rate and no fund existed for the Bristow sub postmaster, Thomas Rickels farmer, and T maintenance and extension of the water system. He

39 suggested that it be taken over by the RDC. No meagre must have attracted pests, particularly rats. Rats improvement had been made by 1945 when Normanby was were a constant problem and exercised the local authorities. very short of water. More Claxby households had been In 1951 the Rasen Mail reported that Bernard Brewer of connected than in the original agreement when Lord Middle Rasen, visiting Claxby, heard a scuffling in an Yarborough provided the supply. The hydraulic ram was outhouse. He looked inside to find a rat trying to get out of adjusted to send more to Normanby, thus depriving Claxby. a trap. It had four babies nearby. He went into the house to Sometime after this, probably in 1948 it appeared that the find the cat only to discover that she was nursing four kittens main part of the village was connected to a mains supply. and unable to attend to her ratting duties. The Mail didn’t The Terrace had to wait rather longer. In 1948 Caistor report the final outcome. Rat weeks obviously helped to RDC announced plans to improve their supply to one tap control rat numbers but constant attention was needed for every two houses. In 1949 the Medical Officer of rather than a one week a year campaign. The bounty of 2d Health, announced that this supply had been found to be per tail introduced by Caistor RDC was believed to be unsuitable for drinking and recommended that the Terrace successful for several years and carried on through the should be connected to the council water main. This must Second World War when the Mail reported that by March have happened because in November 1962 the whole village 1943 the total count of tails was 58,235. Experts however, was without water for two days when a pipe fractured at were less sure. They thought that the same money spent on Otby. It is surprising given the concerns of the Medical scientific measures would eradicate them. Nonetheless the Officer that there had not been more illness in the village. project continued until after the war by which time about a There are no references in the records used to any serious million tails had been collected and the scheme closed. outbreak of typhoid or other illness related to bad water. Scientific measures, if introduced, didn’t appear to have been The problem of the water supply was solved by the mid 60s much more successful because rats continued to be a when Claxby was connected to the mains. However, even as problem. In 1968 the Mail commented on the high late as the 1980s there were complaints about poor water numbers of rats and at the end of the century they still pressure. returned each year becoming most visible in the Autumn. Sewage took even longer to be satisfactorily organised. In Some villages employed a scavenger or refuse collector the early part of the century there was no inside plumbing or but this had not been the practice in Claxby. During the sewage. You went to the bottom of the garden to the outside Second World War the need to recycle metal led the privy summer and winter, day and night In some villages government to encourage the collection of tin cans. This there was a scavenger or night soil worker who cleared away had not been particularly successful. In 1946 the parish the excrement. There does not appear to have been such a council discussed the need for a refuse collection service and person in Claxby. In 1933 the Medical Officer complained asked for a local scavenger to be appointed by the RDC. of wet middens and scavenging and said there was no reason ‘Getting rid of tins is a problem’. Although Caistor RDC why water closets shouldn’t be installed in all houses. He said in 1947 that it had to postpone any waste collection in was well ahead of his time as far as most rural areas were Claxby it did continue to offer a tin can collection service concerned. In Claxby outside privies survived until well because in 1948 it said that if villagers did not use it in after the war. Kath Bunford remembers they used the sufficient volume the council could not continue. It had outside privy at South View when she came in 1953. The apparently been running a rudimentary system on an ad hoc school managers were discussing the installation of water basis. Villages were given prior warning when a lorry would closets at the school also in 1953. Langham House still had come. In 1949 the RDC introduced a scavenging or refuse a privy when Jim and Rene Barton moved there in 1962. collection service to all the villages in its area. At the time The installation of septic tanks helped but they didn’t entirely only 3,000 of 13,000 households had such a service. In solve the problem as they discharged supposedly treated 1953 a fortnightly refuse service was agreed for the Caistor effluent into minor watercourses and the surrounding soil. RDC area. This was upgraded much later to a weekly The parish council was pushing both Caistor RDC and service when Claxby Parish Council, no doubt together with Lindsey CC for improvments to sewage disposal in 1959 and other parish councils, complained that ratepayers were said some progress had been made. However the parish paying the same rates as those in the towns and receiving a council minutes regularly recorded worries about effluent in worse service. In addition over the last few years of the Boggle Lane and in the fish ponds behind the Rectory. There century District Council developed a limited was an open septic tank alongside Wold View until the late recycling service which in all probability it will be required 1980s. Plenty of people in the village still remember the to expand to meet targets agreed with the European Union. smell! Only in 1993 when the water treatment plant was In addition to trying to seek improvements in water, built on the edge of the park was it possible to abandon septic sewage and refuse collection the Parish Council also took a tanks. However as the Anglian Water Board charged for keen interest in other matters. In 1946 it joined the connection from the boundary of each property to the campaign to challenge the announcement that the school property itself, some householders chose not to do so, was listed for closure. The history of this battle and the although all new houses had to be connected. unsuccessful rematch in 1969 is included in the chapter on Up to the Second World War there had been no refuse education. collection. Each household was responsible for its own In 1948 the Parish Council tangled with the Assistant waste. There was far less rubbish in the way of tins, packets, Medical Officer of Health who visited the school with a bottles etc, but animal scraps and other food waste however political poster on his car. They considered that while on

40 County Council business and receiving a petrol allowance he proceed. The last planning matter in the twentieth century should refrain from promoting a particular party. Dr to seriously exercise the parish council was an application to McCredy, no pushover, said he had every right to put what build a number of houses in Normanby Rise. There were he liked on his car, he hadn’t sold his soul to the Council and site meetings and many in the village attended District the election was not in Claxby’s division. Presumably the Planning Committe meetings. In a modified form these posters remained. plans were finally accepted. In the 1970s a series of applications for planning The provision of housing did not appear to have been a permission for two pig units and one rabbit unit were fought problem until the Second World War. Claxby had reduced by the parish council. At the time of the first application, in size when the mine closed so there were probably some that by Cotswold Pigs Ltd, the parish council did not even houses unoccupied from time to time. The census of 1891 have the right to be informed of plans affecting the village showed that only five of the twenty houses in the Terrace and its protest came after permission had been granted. were occupied. There were also references in the Market Nonetheless it did try to have the permission revoked but Rasen Mail to houses in Claxby being occupied by people

Aerial Photograph of Claxby in 1964 courtesy of Grimsby Evening Telegraph without success. The parish council learnt from this working in other nearby villages because those villages had experience and it was also helped by a change to planning no houses. This is not to say that the housing was law which did allow for parish councils to be consulted. In satisfactory. In 1906 Claxby was among a number of villages 1978 it was able to persuade the West Lindsey District listed as having poor housing and in 1913 the RDC ordered Council to refuse permission for a further unit in the parish. sanitary improvements at one house in Claxby. As houses This campaign was lively. Local television came to film the had no sewage system the nature of this improvement is public meeting when buckets of pig slurry were produced to unclear. Most houses belonged to the Yarborough estate demonstrate the smells that the parishioners wished to until 1919. They were well built on the whole and fairly avoid. The refusal stood despite an appeal. A few years later the parish council opposed an application for a rabbit rearing unit. Again the District Coucil rejected the application but this was changed on appeal. At the time this caused considerable dismay in the village because of the way the District Council handled the appeal. Subsequently modifications to the plan were negotiated and in the event the units were not erected. The West Lindsey planning committee returned to the village in 1990 when an application was submitted to convert Claxby House into an hotel, and to build three houses. This caused a considerable division between people in the parish. The planning authority agreed the hotel and one house but these did not Chapel Bungalows

41 well maintained. After 1919 when the estate sold its holdings in Claxby and Normanby, the better off were able to buy their homes and in some cases other properties to rent. Other cottages were bought by potential landlords from outside the village. The standard of maintenance would have ceased to be consistent and was probably poorer where the landlord lived outside the village. After 1919 the Terrace was rented out by a private landlord who lived in Scunthorpe. Other cottages were rented on an ad hoc basis. For instance when Ernest Bristow moved to he kept his house, South View and rented it firstly to Mr Dalton and then to Mr Thompson who moved his shop there from the Terrace. There was no council housing in Claxby. After the war there was a great surge of house building Corner Farmhouse before restoration across the country and the Caistor RDC area was not excluded. Claxby’s first ever council housing, and the first converted into two bungalows in 1975. houses built in the village in fifty years were two houses at There was no private housing built in the village in the Wold View which were finished in 1948, number 2 being a interwar years. Elvin Garth, built in 1949, was the first little delayed because the workmen waited to install the front private house in the village. Crossways was converted from door until after the blackbird chicks, nested under the stairs, the Smithy at about the same time. This was followed by had flown. Despite promises of further new houses from Teresina, Linden Lea, Shaw Don, now the Laurels, in the 1951 and reports from 1953 that young people were leaving 50s and early 60s, Teeshan, and The Orchard in the late 60s. the village because there was no suitable housing, the village Langham Lodge, Cherry Trees, Silverdene/2 New had to wait until 1955 for the two houses and two Bungalows, Simba, Karibu, St Mary’s, Innisfree and Calgary bungalows at Woodland View. A workman had an accident were all built in the 1970s, Rosedale and Jan Venty in the while building these. He dug a big hole for a main concrete early to mid 1980s. In the late 1980s came Wold Haven and post, stepped back and fell in, spraining his ankle. Two more Fairview, the rebuilding of an old cottage now called Corner dwellings, Ash Grove were completed in 1961. The pattern Farmhouse and the development of outbuildings into The of housing at this time is clearly shown in the aerial Barn. This period also saw outbuildings at Claxby House photograph taken in 1964. Two further houses and two converted into, first a public house and restaurant and later bungalows, Cherry Lea, were constructed in 1971 and into a private house. Autumn Lodge, Orchard House, finally the chapel which had been for sale since 1968, was Wellington House, Mulberry House and Meadowbank were

42 built in 1989. In the 1990s, Darby, renamed Croft Ambrey, occupied the tenants said they were sad to be leaving. The and the Red House finally completed housebuilding in the Terrace was finally demolished in 1973. twentieth century. The sketch map shows the various stages The first stirring of modern technology to come into the of building in the village from 1900 to 2000. The Coach village was the gradual introduction of the motor car, motor House was the first public house in Claxby for nearly 100 cycle and motor bus. This is covered in the chapter on years. There had been an ale house called the Pelham Arms transport. Nearly as influential was the coming of the radio. at the junction of the A46 and the Claxby Road. This was It is impossible for us to understand how amazing this closed sometime before 1905 and probably before 1900. invention must have been at the time. Although many The publican had combined the job with that of farmer. people in villages such as Claxby were not isolated in as The ale house no doubt took a much greater part of his time much as they had weekly newspapers, were able to travel while the mine was open and its closure may well have been long distances by railway and had family overseas, the hastened by the closure of the mine. In 1948 Mr Wordley immediacy that radio brought would have been completely applied for an off beer license and was supported by the new. In addition it gave people the opportunity to hear parish council but for some reason it didn’t proceed. In dance bands, plays and classical music of a quality that they 1988 Sue and Ian Forster made the brave attempt to open a were unlikely to hear locally, although it must be recorded pub and restaurant in the refurbished stables of Claxby that the Market Rasen Orchestra and the Choral Society House. It went well for a time and there are records of were producing music of a fairly high standard. Wireless several private and public events being held there. In broadcasting by the British Broadcasting Company began in particular the Coach House league for indoor cricket 1922. Notes on broadcasting were being published in the stimulated the reformation of Claxby cricket team. More of Rasen Mail from 1924 and the BBC was already talking this in the Sport and Leisure chapter. Sadly after only a few about a second radio channel. Listening initially would have been very much for the enthusiast, dependant on the use of crystal sets, cat’s whiskers, complex aerials and head-phones, much as the early users of computers had to be knowledgeable and willing to put effort into using the equipment. Very soon the development of better sets allowed the wireless to be available for anyone who could afford it. Crystal sets cost about £1 and could be built by a knowledgeable amateur. Valve and mains sets were rather more expensive. Without electricity, users in Claxby would have needed an accumulator set, a form of battery that was recharged by Bristow’s generator. The first written record of wireless being available in the village was in 1925 when W C Bristow advertised in the Market Rasen Mail; ‘Claxby Calling. Any kind of wireless The Terrace receiving set installed’. Later the same year W C Bristow provided a wireless loud speaker so that dancing could take years the Coach House closed and was converted into a place to a band broadcasting from the Carlton Hotel in private house. London. This was repeated in 1926. Nora Maddison The Terrace had been under threat since 1959 when recalled that her family had one of the first wireless sets in Medical Officer for Caistor RDC said that the cost of the Terrace. She remembered that a crowd collected in their bringing them up to standard was more that they were house to listen to it for some important occasion. By 1937 worth. In the early 1960s there was a considerable furore radios were within general reach of the working classes. In when the Council in effect declared it a slum. This November of that year J H Robinson of the Terrace was generated letters in the Mail saying how well looked after found guilty of working a wireless without a licence and they were. This was no doubt true but the external fined 10/- and 2/6d costs. He would also have had to pay condition of the houses was deteriorating and they had no 10/- for the licence, a not inconsiderable amount when an inside plumbing, no hot water and only one tap for every agricultural labourer’s average weekly wage was only £1 14s two houses. Younger people were not prepared to put up 7d. There are no other references to the wireless and we can with these conditions even if the rents were low. Although only assume that villagers steadily acquired sets as their the Council decided they must be demolished they had no finances allowed. The availability of electricity would have alternative accommodation for the tenants currently living stimulated demand. Kitty Combs (nee Cade) and her sister there so immediate closure was not possible. It was decided remember that they had a radio powered by an accumulator that no further tenants could move in and that existing in the 1950s. tenants would be accommodated as soon as suitable housing From being a novelty before the First World War the was available. The Terrace therefore mouldered away for electricity supply industry developed swiftly in the interwar several more years and the last photographs show it in a years. Between 1926 and 1933 the Central Electricity Board derelict state, gardens overgrown, slates off and windows built power stations linked to a national grid which made broken. It must have been very depressing to live there at electricity available to industry and domestic consumers that time but even as late as 1972 when only three were across the country. The alternative source of electricity was

43 a generator and we know that Bristows had one as they months between applying to the Post Office, the monopoly recharged accumulators. John Bristow also remembers that supplier, for a telephone and having it installed. Those the Rectory had a generator which it used for lighting. In without a phone would have been able to use the public 1927 the Caistor RDC set up a committee to look after the telephone after 1938 when it seems that Claxby’s was interests of its District because powers were being sought to installed. In 1939 the Mail had a leading article on the need supply electricity to Lincolnshire. However, in 1929 the for every village to have a public telephone so for once we Rasen Mail commented that electrification was in the larger were ahead of the trend. By the end of the century it was towns but not rural areas. It was not until 1935 that plans, unusual to find a house without a telephone and the lines put forward by the Yorkshire Power Company for Nettleton were also used for links to the internet while many people and Claxby were approved. No doubt Nettleton with its preferred to use their mobiles rather than the land line mine was an attractive target for the electricity company. In telephone. The public call box may have a limited life. 1936 the Mail announced that with the switching on of Television was the last pre Second World War invention electric light in Market Rasen the scheme to supply current to spread through the country. Although the BBC had been to the villages from Caistor to Market Rasen was complete, broadcasting TV programmes from 1936 the service was with the exception of Tealby. However the following year suspended for the duration of the war. Mains electricity was the supply company pointed out that it was uneconomic to absolutely essential so it would have been out of reach for extend the supply further, presumably to Tealby, because of most Claxby households much before the mid 1940s. In the poor take up by subscribers. Claxby had only eight addition reception here would have been poor. The size of establishments connected a year after electricity had come to the local population would not have encouraged the rapid the village. There is no easily accessible record as to who building of transmitting stations. However by 1955 the were the earliest users. St Mary’s Church was connected by Market Rasen Mail was reporting that both television and early May 1937. Local businesses such as the blacksmith, radio were new factors in the pending general election. In the wheelwright and the garage would have had good 1963 people were complaining about poor reception and the reasons to be connected. It is also reasonable to assume that Belmont transmitter commenced operation in December the better off households subscribed before the less well off. 1965 and there was speculation that the BBC might begin The unknown costs of this new form of power may have its second channel by Christmas 1966. Kitty Combs and been a disincentive to those with little money to spare. The Pam Whitwell, (nee Cade) both of whom lived in Claxby restrictions of the Second World War slowed down the from 1946 remember watching TV at the Sharps and spread of electrification to domestic users and even by 1955 Maddisons in the 1950s. only 79% of premises in rural areas were connected to the In 1936 the last remnant of Claxby mine was finally grid. The school still didn’t have electricity in 1953. But by destroyed. There had been a gigantic wheel on the hillside, 1961 a furniture sale in the village mentioned a deep freeze probably in Normanby parish but visible for miles around. cabinet and television so the use of electrical appliances must It had been used to bring the wagons up and down the hill have been fairly common by then, although there were at from the mine to the railway. It was destroyed for scrap iron. least two houses in the village without electricity in 1962. After the school closed in1971 the village decided that an Power cuts were very familiar to the village from the earliest attempt should be made to acquire it for use as a village hall. days. They warranted articles in the local paper and were, on The schoolroom had been regularly used for many village occasion, for days rather than minutes or hours. The introduction of the telephone followed a similar pattern. Telephones were available in towns before the First World War. In Claxby the first mention is in 1932 when the Rasen Mail reported that William Charles Bristow was connected. In Kelly’s Directory of 1933 both W C Bristow and Shepherd Bristow blacksmith and sub post master were listed for the first time as having telephones. At that time they were still sufficiently unusual in Market Rasen for the Mail to be welcoming individuals and businesses onto the system and listing all the telephone subscribers in the town. The list was fairly short. In 1937 Fred Sharp the wheelwright, carpenter and undertaker was connected. By The Viking Centre after modernisation 1938 the Owersby Moor exchange was upgraded. It enabled functions over the years. A committee was formed of subscribers within about a 15 mile radius to dial representatives from the Parish Council, Parochial Church automatically. The numbers were changed from 2 digits to Council, Mothers Union, Hillside Club, Womens Institute 3 and all subscribers were visited by the Post Office to have and the senior and junior youth clubs. Fund raising began the new system explained. There can’t have been many immediately. Whist drives, a bonfire and tramps supper, subscribers if the Post Office was able to visit them coffee mornings, fireworks, a jumble sale, and fete all raised individually. There are no further references to telephones in a substantial sum. The Committee obtained grants of £500, the Mail but it is reasonable to assume that after 1945 more electric heating was installed, car access was made and houses were connected. Villagers may have had to exercise repairs to the toilets were carried out. Unfortunately this patience. Well after the war there were delays of several initiative took place just when many village activities were

44 becoming less viable, the shop closed, people had their own Over the whole of the century the weather has had a transport, commuters started living in the village and taking profound effect on the village. Farming despite being little part in village functions. Despite almost continuous increasingly hitech is still greatly dependent on the weather. fund raising over the next few years by 1977 the committee Modern techniques for lifting and drying crops have helped decided it was not sensible to carry on. Both the Hillside but snow, frost and rain as well as drought still leave the Club and the youth club had closed and the hall was not farmer worried. Other aspects of village life were also being used enough. affected by severe weather. School attendance was frequently The following year West Lindsey District Council bought poor because of bad weather especially when children the building to turn it into a hostel using grants from the walked to school from a wide area. Drought caused concern Silver Jubilee appeal It was renovated and in 1981 when over the water supply at various times, heavy rain and further money was available it was equipped with sleeping subsequent flooding washed away the washdyke bridge and and cooking facilities so that it could be used for study isolated the village from Market Rasen for a time but snow groups during the week and youngsters at the weekends. has had the most dramatic impact. The most well known Bookings were disappointing although in 1983 a German winter is that of January and February 1947. The village was cut off for six weeks, the school didn’t open as the teachers couldn’t reach the village. Villagers pulled sledges across the fields to the railway station to collect bread, and groceries and as fast as they shovelled the snow away it blew back again. As Phyllis Surfleet said, ‘you didn’t waste even a scrap of bread as you didn’t know where the next loaf was coming from’. Even before then the village had times when it was cut off for several days at a time. Michael Sharp remembers a snowplough pulled by two horses but that could only cope with a depth of snow that horses could get through. In the Claxby Village Hall winter of 1947 the snow nearly reached the telephone wires. There were other winters after 1947 when getting in and out youth group used it. Over the years the facilities became too of the village was a problem. 1957 and 1962/3 are basic for modern taste and in the 1990s a further large grant remembered by villagers and in the late 1970s there was one was obtained to enlarge and modernise it. This was occasion when the village was cut off for at least three days. successfully completed but it continued to attract fewer When Nettleton Mine was active the road from Market groups than had been hoped. Great efforts have been made Rasen to Nettleton up Normanby Rise was kept open as far to market the centre and it is to be hoped that it will prove as possible to allow miners to reach work and ironstone to be to be viable. brought out. It was because of the mine that the washdyke When the Women’s Institute closed in 1992 the Parish bridge was repaired promptly. During and after the war Council decided after discussion at a Parish Meeting to buy POWs used to help keep the roads cleared. the old WI room for use as a Village Hall. It needed The village has seen more changes in the twentieth considerable refurbishment and a separate committee was century than in the previous 200 or 300 years. In 1900 the formed to organise the purchase and renovation work. village was dependant on the land, all, except the Rector, Major fund raising was required and a number of events were tenants of the Yarborough estate, a great majority went were organised including a very sucessful bonfire night party. to church or one of the two chapels every Sunday and leisure The proceeds of the 1995 centenary celebrations were time was spent mainly in the village. Normanby and Claxby allocated to the refurbishment fund. In early 1994 the deeds operated as a single entity for many activities. Most villagers were transferred to the parish council and the ‘new’ village did their shopping in the village and depended on weekly hall was brought into use. It still needed plenty of work, newspapers for information. Most children had all their which has been carried our over a number of years. education in the village. Bicycles, horses and the railway The history of Claxby is a long one. It was known in the were the only form of transport. Very few people had 1850s that there were Roman remains in the area. The holidays away from the village. The annual Sunday School village has been lucky that one of its long term residents has outing was the only chance for most to go further than taken a great interest in the distant past of the area. Joan Market Rasen or Caistor. Despite the inevitable arguments Russell, previously Mostyn Lewis has walked the fields for and feuds the village together with Normanby was a tightly many years looking for pottery and other indications of knit unit dependant on each other for pleasure and for habitation. One of her most interesting finds was on Trevor support in time of trouble. Lyle’s farm where in the early 1970s she found a Roman kiln By 1999 the village population while recovering from its about 9 inches below the surface. It had been protected by lowest level had not reached the 235 that it was in 1901 but being on an ancient hedge line and therefore not subject to nearly every house had at least one car, mains water and ploughing. The site was fully excavated and the kiln sewage, electricity, radio and television. There was no shop removed to Lincoln where it was on display for many years. or post office, no school, no travelling shops and no railway Joan has found many other fascinating remains, many of station. Very few villagers were dependant on the land for which are held by the Lincoln Museum Service. their living and the elderly represented a much larger

45 proportion of the total population. There were no village far as Hull and Sheffield for an evening out and all over the based associations or clubs and the only casual meeting place world for holidays. was the one remaining place of worship, the church, People who can remember life in the village in the 1920s attended by perhaps 5% of the village on a regular basis. and 30s and even as late as the 1950s say that they were more People looked for entertainment outside the village, going as contented then but how many would want to change the comforts we now enjoy for the contentment of earlier years?

3 AGRICULTURE

In 1900 farming was still labour intensive and the hauling Some women from the area went to Lincoln by train to sell was carried out by horses. Most farmers followed the their eggs and other produce, and no doubt sold also at traditional Norfolk four course rotation of crops; wheat Market Rasen market but there is no written record of the followed by a root crop, usually turnips, then barley latter. undersown with a grass ley cropped by the sheep. In this Horses provided the main hauling power both on and off time honoured fashion the land was kept clean and the farm although the railway was used for hauling longer manured, the barley was sold for malting and the wheat for distances. Horses were slow and to get through the work on bread. The sheep ate the turnips in the field, the horses and a decent sized farm twelve to fifteen horses would have been other farm animals ate lifted and chopped roots and the needed. They had to be looked after, fed, watered, cleaned surplus cereal Oats were also grown for feed. Sheep, the and all the tack given careful maintenance by the wagoners. ‘Golden Hoof’ of Lincolnshire, had for several hundred John and Motley Brant remember twenty horses and five or years been a major source of income to the wolds farmers six wagoners at Normanby in the 1930s. Wagoners were and Claxby with Normanby was part of that tradition; basic to the needs of the farm. They ploughed, cut hay and indeed in 1922 the Market Rasen Mail, when reporting that cereals, hauled goods both on and off the farm. They were Herbert Maultby had been fined 5/- for allowing his dog to carefully graded, first, second, third etc and paid in order of stray, said he was the second largest sheep owner in the seniority. In 1923 first wagoners wages were £30-£35 pa district. Cattle rearing for beef was also important. One while fourth wagoners received only £12-£14 pa Single local farmer, John Byron of Normanby le Wold had a well wagoners were accommodated in dormitory conditions with known herd of Lincolnshire Red Shorthorns. There a woman, often the first wagoner’s wife to cook and clean for probably were other beef herds in the village, Mr Maultby them. Sometimes they were given a cottage but often they bought a Lincoln Red Shorthorn bull at Lincoln for 20 lived above the horses or in another outhouse of the farm. guineas in 1914 and John Wildsmith of Claxby House Traditionally wagoners were allocated a pig, either one to bought a bull in 1916 for 36 guineas. There were no large each man per year or one to two men as their principal meat dairy herds in the district. Farmers and some smallholders source and pork was much eaten. Margaret Brant kept a milking cow or two for their own needs and probably remembers wagoners setting off for work on a breakfast of sold milk to other villagers. Certainly in the Yarborough warm milk and pork fat cubes! Discipline was firm and Bill estate sale documents of 1919 several of the smallholdings Woods who was a wagoner at Thoresway, and who lived in were recorded as having two and three standing cowhouses. Claxby in retirement, remembers having to be in his quarters It was reported in the Market Rasen Mail that the local by 9.30 each evening and 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. medical officer of health was concerned at the lack of fresh Although the horses were only worked for a limited time milk in the area but Claxby was not singled out as being each day, they had to be fed, watered and harnessed up each especially deprived. Pasture for the cattle and sheep must morning, and groomed, fed and watered each evening. In have been a significant proportion of the use of the land but addition the tack had to be cleaned and mended. The hours potatoes and carrots were grown on the flatter lands around for the wagoners, as for all farm workers were long. Bill the village. Pigs were routinely kept but not usually in Woods used to get up at 5am, muck out, groom and feed his substantial numbers, although Mr F H Baker at Fir Park four charges, then go to breakfast himself before harnessing Farm just outside the parish, kept pigs on a significant scale up. They had to be setting off by 7am. They worked until fairly early in the century. Most villagers and virtually every 2.30pm with a half hour break. The horses were walked cottage had a pig sty where they kept one or two animals for back to the farm, unharnessed and cleaned down. The men their own use. As in many other villages Claxby had a pig then had their dinner after which they fed their animals. club, an insurance and mutual support organisation. Each Evenings were spent cleaning harness and polishing brasses. member contributed a regular sum and was compensated if In the summer they might walk to a neighbouring farm to his pig died or had to be put down because of foot and socialise with their opposite numbers. They didn’t drink on mouth disease or swine fever. The club seems to have been those occasions. They couldn’t afford to. The first wagoner established in the First World War when there was pressure supervised the others and in some cases oversaw the breaking to increase food production. Michael and Mary Sharp have in of young horses. Some young horses would have been part of a rule book for the pig club dated 1916 bred locally. After the first world war Maurice Brant bred Poultry also seemed to have been a small scale enterprise Percherons, but some came from elsewhere and certainly in the early days of the century, more the preserve of the from the outbreak of the First World War, when thousands farmer’s and smallholder’s wife than of the farmer himself. of horses were taken for the front, young horses were

46 imported from Ireland. John Brant whose father took over bicycles were much used by farmworkers. As they cost Normanby Lodge in 1919, said they arrived at Claxby between £6 15s and £12 12s they represented a significant railway station and were herded up the hill to be trained and investment for a farm labourer. In 1917 the Mail broken on the farm. This would have caused some commented that the attendance was very high considering excitement in the village. In 1925 John’s father was fined for the times and in 1921 it said that hiring of female servants allowing two horses to stray in Claxby. They could have was no longer done in the open but through the registry been escapees from the drive up the hill. office or privately. It also said that not much business was There were many other tasks to be carried out on the being done for male workers as they were seeking better than farm and large numbers of men and in some cases women Wages Board rates and the farmers were unwilling to pay. By were employed at different seasons. When Bill Woods 1927 the Mail said that despite a good attendance, not many worked as a hedger at he spent nearly all his were engaged and farmers were preferring to operate through time in winter plashing and keeping the hedges of the estate newspapers or privately. It also commented that the in good heart There would have been similar tasks to be roundabouts were well patronised. Slowly the fairs were carried out in Claxby. Farm labourers helped see to the changing to entirely social events and the spring fair in animals, hoed and singled the growing crops, cut and Market Rasen today is the direct descendant of the hiring stacked hay, cut, stooked and threshed the corn, cleaned the fairs. The clearest record of the use of annual contracts in ditches, mended fences, maintained the farm buildings. The Claxby comes from the fluctuations in school numbers each whole landscape would have been peopled in a way we don’t spring. This is recorded in the chapter on Education. see today. Any farm of reasonable size would have employed In addition to permanent workers, seasonal workers were a significant number of men, John Brant remembers twelve needed for the potato and beet harvests. Both crops were to fifteen and Motley up to eighteen. Despite the number picked by hand and in very wet weather they were also dug of permanent farm workers seasonal labour was in demand, by hand. The Irish were regarded as the best and hardest particularly at harvest. In the early days of the century, workers. There was a population of Irishmen in and around before binders were common, twenty men would be needed Caistor who moved round the farms negotiating better piece to gather and stook the cereal crop and then stack it in the work rates than the locals could obtain. Whether this caused yard. Women usually bound the sheaves and they and the resentment is not recorded. They had perks as well and this children then gleaned the field. The cutting and threshing convention lasted well into the Second World War. In 1944 was not carried out simultaneously as is the norm today. Richard Brennan, an Irishman living at Claxby, was charged Farmers had to wait their turn for the steam threshing with the theft of three blankets and cooking utensils, machines and this could mean a delay of several months. property of the British Sugar Corporation at Bardney. His The Market Rasen Mail reported an argument that got out defence said it was customary for farmers in Lincolnshire to of hand between two Claxby men while threshing at Mr provide Irishmen with blankets and other articles at harvest Byron’s farm at Normanby in March 1900. This was clearly time and the arrangement was an individual matter between five or six months after harvest. This delay gave other master and man. Blankets might be retained for the whole problems, particularly with rats. Mr Baker of Fir Park Farm season before return. at Usselby writing in 1945 believed the rat problem was still Potato picking by hand lasted well after the Second caused at least in part by unthreshed grain left over the World War. Michael Sharp remembers picking as a boy and winter. By then farmers were obliged to net their stacks to many will recall their mothers helping in the fields. The minimise rat damage. Rats were clearly a great trial to Rasen Mail reported in November 1951 that ‘boys and girls everyone and the Market Rasen Mail reported on the returned to school after two or three weeks potato picking. fluctuations in the rat population over the first 50 years of Some have made up to £10 each’. Early potatoes which the century. Rat Weeks were held each year when everyone bruised easily and fetched a far higher price were picked by set about killing as many as possible and in the 1930s and hand much later than main crop potatoes 40s Caistor RDC in common with other local councils paid In addition to men employed directly by the farmers a bounty of 2d a tail. Local boys in particular earned some there were many others whose livelihood depended on the pocket money from this. Motley Brant can remember land, such as rabbiters, and mole catchers. Craftsmen such feeling very aggrieved when someone took his rat tails off as the blacksmith and wheelwright also derived the bulk of him! Market Rasen UDC were slower to offer a bounty and their income from agriculture. In Claxby the Bristows and when they did insisted that the complete dead rat was given the Maultbys followed by the Sharps had filled these up. Perhaps they worried that people might cut off the rat’s respective roles for many years and were to continue well tail and let it lose again. into the 20th century. The boost to their income from Some workers stayed with their master for many years but shoeing pit ponies and maintaining transport in Claxby others were hired on an annual basis. Each spring hiring mine had long disappeared by 1900 although Shepherd fairs were held in local market towns and those who wished Bristow made shoes for army horses in the First World War to move to another employer or had been told to move, There were some limited changes on farms during the negotiated with potential employers for a year’s work. The First World War partly, no doubt because of the shortage of hiring fairs or Statutes were also an opportunity for people labour. There was no conscription until 1916 but there were to meet and socialise. Stalls were set up in the market place great pressures on men to answer the call for ‘King and and fairground rides were enjoyed. The Rasen Mail Country’. After 1916 there was a general call up of all able commented in most years on the events. In 1904 it said that bodied men, the upper age limit gradually increasing

47 throughout the war and the physical requirements reducing. parents had never envisaged. It also gave the local tenant Although agriculture was a reserved occupation, men whose farmers the chance to establish themselves and give better main livelihood was not dependent on the land had to get guarantees for their children’s future. However the exemptions from call up and this did not seem easy to economic pressures that forced the sale also seem to have obtain; a Claxby man was granted a 3 month delay in his call made it difficult for the purchasers to survive. A significant up, the critical factor seemed to be that he kept two number of properties bought at the sale changed hands in registered boar pigs. Another Claxby man was refused the few years immediately after. Some farms, like Grange exemption; he had applied on the grounds that he kept 6 Farm fell out of production altogether. Presumably not acres of rural land, was the postman and made horse shoes everyone could cope with the difficulties of the times. for the army. Generally things did not improve until the Second World Food was in short supply, rationing of meat, tea, butter War and margarine was introduced in the latter stages of the war Despite this some developments were seen in the and maximum price orders were imposed on a variety of introduction of mechanisation on farms but it seems to have foodstuffs. A man was charged with allowing potatoes to be been very limited. John Surfleet didn’t use a tractor and drill damaged by frost as late as 1919. Some products were given until 1941. He also remembers horses being used on many special consideration. Eggs were much sought after. Egg farms in the area in the late 30s and 40s. He was using a production fluctuated seasonally and as they were regarded horse drawn binder in 1947. It appeared that horses were as important for the wounded a voluntary organisation was still fairly common on the land while motor engines established to collect eggs from small producers, those who dominated road transport. in time past would have sold a few locally. In Claxby Gladys In addition some changes appeared in the cropping and Bristow undertook this collection as the Market Rasen Mail management of farms. Sugar beet became a more significant duly recorded. In July 1917 she collected 133 eggs, in crop. In 1928 there was speculation in the Rasen Mail that November 65 eggs , the following January 87 eggs. It rose there was sufficient beet being grown in the area to justify a to 94 eggs in March and the collection apparently continued second sugar beet factory in Brigg. The first, at Bardney, had until March 1919. Some of the eggs collected in the area been opened some years before. The number of dairy cows were marked with the name and address of the giver or increased and there was a growth in poultry farming. Before packer and some of the wounded wrote in thanks. the first world war the number of dairy cows seems to have Farmers must have been under pressure to maintain been fairly small. Even in the 1920s and 30s Ernest Bristow production and this was problematical with a depleted kept only two cows and sold milk for 1penny a gallon. But workforce. Some less essential jobs probably simply didn’t during the later interwar years there was a modest build up get done, others were carried out by boys too young for the of numbers and by the outbreak of the second world war call up or by older men Women were probably used more there were small herds on a several farms in Claxby. John although there is no written record of this in Claxby. Surfleet was milking cows at Moat Farm in the late 1930s However Nora Maddison nee Saunby was a casual farm and there was apparently sufficient milk produced to justify worker, singling beet, picking potatoes and pulling and a milk collection service. Certainly in 1944 the Rev Austin topping beet in the 1920s and 30s. No doubt there were Lee when complaining about the lack of fresh milk for others. Some farmers must have considered mechanisation. village children said there was a TT tested herd in the village. The Market Rasen Mail recorded that the first use of a steam Chickens also were being kept on a larger scale than had tractor in the area took place in Walesby in 1918. It also been common earlier in the century when it was the preserve reported that the Ministry of Agriculture made tractors of the farmer’s wife to make some money for herself. In available on loan and in 1919 there was a sale of these 1926 Mr Chappell was taking 14 dozen eggs to market when tractors locally but there is no record of one being used in he met with his accident. It is recorded in more detail in the Claxby. Before then steam threshers had been familiar but chapter on transport. Certain local farms had built up they were stationary beasts, brought to the farmyard each significant flocks. Both John Surfleet and John Bristow were year and then removed. Steam tractors in the fields must employed collecting eggs among other jobs at Moat Farm have been an extraordinary sight. However whatever just before the Second World War. innovations farmers might have planned had to be put in Pigs however with the exception of Mr Baker’s unit at Fir abeyance as farming suffered a serious and long term slump Park Farm still remained the preserve of the smallholder. In after the war ended. 1923 the Claxby pig club reported receipts of £46 6s 4d and Immediately after the war economic pressures had a £7 6s 6d paid out for pigs lost. It was still operating in 1948 profound effect on the ownership of land in several parts of when it decided to resume the payment of annual Lincolnshire as the great landowners sold off land to pay subscriptions which had been suspended for some years death duties and recover losses in the face of falling prices. because of the low payouts and the small number of pigs Lord Yarborough sold off substantial areas including most of lost. The decision was made in the light of the high price of his land in Claxby and Normanby. The records of the sale pigs at the time. Even in 1954 the Market Rasen Mail still on 17th September 1919 show he sold 3,510 acres referred to pig killing time in the villages. comprising ‘11 Farms, 5 Excellent Small Holdings, Cottages In addition to their other concerns, farmers also had to and Gardens, Arable Enclosures and Fertile Lands’ This was cope with the same animal diseases that cause such misery a once in a lifetime opportunity for the villagers to own the today. Foot and mouth disease was common in the early homes they had lived in for many years, something their years of the 20th century and it was dealt with in the same

48 way as today, slaughter and movement restrictions There in agriculture although the signs of progress were there for were warnings of a widespread outbreak in January 1921 those who looked. Mr F H Baker, a farmer who lived in and foot and mouth restrictions caused the Market Rasen Usselby inundated the Market Rasen Mail with information Christmas Fatstock Show in 1923 to be postponed. Further he had obtained from his journeys around the world funded outbreaks occurred in 1932, 1934, 1939 and 1942 This last by the profits he said he made on his farm. He was outbreak was particularly critical because of the shortage of particularly influenced by the time he spent working in the food. In addition because of the need to maintain a United States. He imported several practices in the keeping blackout the slaughtered animals had to be buried in of pigs on a large scale from America and reported that he quicklime. Outbreaks continued after the war but this area made a good return in many years when other farmers were escaped the major outbreak in the mid 60s struggling. Despite the farmers’ difficulties and In addition to foot and mouth, sheep were prone to other conservatism, at the outbreak of the Second World War ailments and were required to be dipped. For Claxby this certain crops such as sugar beet unfamiliar or even unknown took place near the Washdyke Bridge. The regulations were in 1914 were being grown in the area, dairy and poultry rigorously enforced. Charles Hewson of Claxby was fined farming was more common and some farmers were using 10/- in November 1915 for not sending in his declaration tractors on a significant scale. The war was to prove the under the Sheep Dipping Order on time. Pig owners also catalyst for profound short and long term changes in had to deal with swine fever which regularly ravaged the agriculture. herd. There was an outbreak of the disease in January 1921 In 1940 the government introduced strict controls on all when foot and mouth was also about and the Market Rasen aspects of agriculture. Keen to avoid the inadequacies of the Mail reported regular outbreaks throughout the century. food supply of the first world war, the state imposed central People tried to escape the draconian regulations instigated to control on the feeding and slaughter of animals, quotas of control these diseases. The Market Rasen Mail recorded basic foods that each farm must grow and took over several instances of smallholders being fined for not burying unfarmed land through local War Agriculture Committees. animals quickly enough or failing to report animal Pasture land unploughed for centuries was to be brought movements or suspicious symptoms. There were also into arable production and farmers were given the incentive occasional outbreaks of anthrax, a terrifying disease which of guaranteed prices to increase and maintain output. In can be fatal to humans. The Mail records two instances in North Lincolnshire three thousand acres of grassland were to the 1950s in and and sixteen be ploughed, sugar beet and potatoes were to be the main cases in Lindsey in one month in 1956. In addition to these root crops and farmers were to try to be self supporting in diseases there were other problems that animals faced that animal and poultry food stuffs. This latter seemed to have are not usual today. Motley Brant recalled a foal dying of disastrous consequences very quickly. In the winter of 1940 lock jaw and of two horses having to be shot in the aftermath the Market Rasen Mail reported that sheep were dying. Bad of a fire in the stables. storms meant that they were unable to graze and cake was As if this were not enough farmers and their men were not available. This may have been made worse by the clerk also routinely prosecuted for misdemeanours The Market responsible for issuing permits for cake not understanding Rasen Mail regularly reported that Claxby farmers like their the urgency of the need. In addition, acreages of peas for counterparts in other local villages were fined for allowing canning and beans for horse and pig food were to be animals to stray. Mr J H Wildsmith of Claxby House fined increased and flax was to be introduced. Flax acreage 5/- in 1923 for allowing two steers to stray onto Normanby increased phenomenally, from a thousand acres at the Road said they were heifers and he would defy anyone to beginning of the war to five thousand acres at the end. A keep them in! (Mr Wildsmith had lost five sheep to a flax mill was built south of Lincoln. Flax was found to be an lightning strike in 1914). Herbert Maultby, fined 5/- in ideal crop for newly ploughed pastures as it was not much 1924 for allowing two beasts to stray showed his frustration affected by wireworm. It was, however a dirty and difficult by paying in threepenny pieces. Farmers and shepherds were crop to harvest and if laid had to be pulled by hand. also prosecuted over their dogs. All dogs had to be licensed Although regular farm workers could be exempted from except for certain working dogs whose owners had to apply the call up there was still a shortage of men to work on the for exemption annually. Woe betide those who forgot; land, partly because farmworkers could still volunteer and hauled up before the magistrate they had to pay their fines partly because farmers relied on seasonal and casual workers of 5/- or 10/- and costs. The RSPCA had inspectors in the who were subject to call up and of course farmers were district and they also regularly prosecuted for cruelty to expected to increase yields. Learning lessons from earlier animals. In 1902 John Martin farmer of Claxby was fined wars, in 1939, the state set up the Womens Land Army. 10/- and 4/6d costs for cruelty to a horse by working it in an One wonders how many local farmers viewed the awful condition. It was lame on all four legs and the off phenomenon of young active women carrying out all the foreleg was deformed. The RSPCA continued to be work that had traditionally been seen as the prerogative of watchful as motor transport took over and as late as 1933 a men. Many Land Army girls had a hard time establishing Co-op carter was fined for cruelty. themselves but they seem to have been accepted as inevitable Farmers, therefore and their workers had a difficult time by the majority of farmers. Indeed in 1944 the Land Army for much of the first forty years of the century despite couldn’t meet the demand for dairy workers and set up a occasional years when certain crops seemed to be offering training school at Ingleby. This was admittedly the one area better returns. Poor incomes had slowed down innovation of farm work where women had been accepted for many

49 years so it may have been more of a comment on the been falling for many years increased again, the dairy herds unprecedented increase in the local dairy herd. There were and poultry flocks grew and agriculture saw a more secure certainly some members of the Land Army living and future. It was at this period that the various marketing working in Claxby. In 1946 a Miss Merle Flintoft, daughter boards were at the their most influential. There was even a of a local family and aged seventeen reported vandalism at tomato and cucumber marketing board. Agriculture was Claxby School. She was described as a land girl and was on still seen locally as the most important industry even though her way home from milking. it was employing much less labour. The Market Rasen Mail Casual workers were also in great demand and as early in devoted a large part of each edition to farming matters. the war as the summer of 1939 farmers were applying to use From the 1960s onwards, mechanisation and a more Southern Irishmen, who were not subject to the call up, and researched based approach to farming together with the use one farmer was bringing out two loads of women from of artificial fertilisers, herbicides and fungicides caused major Grimsby to Caistor. Later in the war prisoners of war were changes in farming. The entry of the UK into the Common used extensively. Large numbers of Germans were brought Market also had a significant influence on the range and onto local farms from North Willingham and late in the war quantity of crops grown. Farmers, as would any there were Italians at camps on the A46 at Usselby. Farmers businessmen, responded to the stimulus of the artificial continued to rely on POWs until well after the war. They control of prices. Huge increases in production of those anguished in 1948 when it was reported that 5,300 German crops with high guaranteed prices led to attempts to control POWs were going home from Lindsey alone. They could output by quotas. Quotas and the option to buy and sell expect the help of only a few hundred voluntary workers them encouraged farmers to trade in pieces of paper. This from Europe. encouraged the more financially aware in the farming Difficulties in getting sufficient rations for feeding pigs community and prompted the acquisition of more and poultry apparently led to some farmers at least cutting sophisticated management skills among a few. Those who down their herds and flocks. There were apparently only couldn’t handle these new demands, especially the smaller limited supplies of foodstuffs for pigs and those farming on farmer fell by the wayside. The alternative approach, a large scale simply couldn’t obtain sufficient scraps. In 1944 organic farming also required management and marketing Mr Baker in Usselby said he was selling his pigs and as late skills and access to capital to tide them over while the farm as 1946 the Claxby pig club, worried about the small rations adapted to Soil Association standards. for village pigkeepers, joined the Small Pigkeepers Council In the 1990’s the modification of the Common as a means of obtaining extra meal for keepers of 2 or more Agricultural Policy in an attempt to restrain its cost was, in pigs. Despite the restrictions on rations for poultry, egg the UK, exacerbated by the effects of BSE and other food production in the area increased considerably. The egg scares. These demanded resilience, flexibility and even packing station at Usselby was reporting that it processed greater management and technical skills. Again the larger 250,000 eggs a week in 1942. After the war it was managed farmer was more likely to handle these challenges. by W C Bristow. Then it was an even larger operation, Landholders in Claxby were no different from those collecting eggs from local producers and grading them elsewhere. Changes that began in the 1960s with the before dispatching them the same night. In 1953 it also introduction of more sophisticated techniques and established its own flock of 4,000 birds. Several Claxby machinery speeded up as the century came to its end. Fields women worked there; Phyllis Surfleet, Betty Owen, Alice grew larger and farms both larger and more specialised. The Sharpe and Margaret Clark as well as Christine Bristow. In era of the mixed farm seemed to be coming to an end. In 1956 when it was taken over it was described as being at the Claxby the land was consolidated into a few good sized centre of one of the largest egg producing areas in England. holdings. The last dairy herd in the village was sold in the In addition to egg production Claxby also had chicken late 1990s. Sheep and beef cattle were still a familiar sight fattening units. Arthur Maultby, whose family farmed here but the survival of the sheep flock far into the twenty first for the first 40 years of the century, recalls lines of double century is believed to be questionable. Pigs ceased to be kept cages in the paddock behind Langham House at the in small units and were reared in large numbers in the open beginning of the war. by the end of the century, with the exception of the specialist Pressure to maintain and increase food production breeding unit at Cotswold Pigs. Arable farming assumed a continued well after the war. The country was desperately pre-eminence that would have been unbelievable at the short of foreign currency and needed to use it for oil and beginning of the century. The only crop not harvested in other materials which it simply could not produce. one operation was rape and this was cut when green and left Rationing of many food items continued well after the war. to dry and ripen for two weeks before combining. Artificial Meat didn’t come off ration until 1954. The imminent end fertilisers were spread on the basis of a soil analysis for each of Marshall Aid in 1951 caused much concern in the local hectare of land, located with the Global Positioning System, press as farmers were finding it difficult to attract sufficient fungicides were sprayed within an accuracy of 8 centimetres. labour and therefore worried about maintaining high levels Tractors and other farm machinery increased in size and of production. There was a suggestion that local farmers sophistication. The most sophisticated could even be took over the operation of a hostel for farmworkers on a not monitored for malfunction by satellite by the manufacturer for profit basis but they declined to do so. However while in use thousands of miles away. The rate of guaranteed prices increased farm incomes considerably and technological innovation will continue to increase in the farmers were able to invest in mechanisation to offset the twenty first century. labour shortage to some extent. Sheep numbers which had 50 4 TRANSPORT

In 1900 there was very little to indicate the immense century. In August 1901 Miss Eve Bristow eldest daughter changes the century would bring to transport. Claxby had a of Shepherd Bristow, blacksmith, won 10/-, a substantial railway station which had been inaugurated in 1848 but for sum, for the best decorated bicycle at the flower show and most people that represented occasional journeys only. gala at . One wonders whether she cycled there There were two carriers in the village, Mr Shepherd and Mr and back. The Market Rasen Mail, reporting on the May Crawford, who undertook trips to Market Rasen. Villagers Hiring Fair in 1904 commented that bicycles were much essentially relied on walking although some had bicycles and used by farm labourers. Bicycles must have given ordinary the fortunate few had horse transport of their own. In all folk much more freedom than their forebears had enjoyed but the wealthiest households, the horses were needed for Bicycle riders regularly came up against the law. Riding the farm and were not available to ride or drive for pleasure. without lights was the most frequent offence. The The internal combustion engine had yet to make its magistrates at Market Rasen fined Thomas Hutchinson, appearance in any meaningful sense. It would be a good labourer of Claxby 5/- for such an offence in August 1919. twenty years before people saw cars and buses on the road in Tom Chapman also a labourer of Claxby had to pay 10/- for any numbers. The roads were metalled but not tarred. In riding without a rear light a year later and other Claxby Lincolnshire the practise was to lay chalk and limestone on residents were caught and summonsed over the years. There the tracks and roads and pour sand on top which was then were also accidents. One recorded by the Market Rasen watered. Without doubt they were dusty in summer and Mail in 1934 concerned Thomas Bycroft of Claxby, cycling muddy and slippery in winter. They were also gated. There with his son to Thoresway. Apparently he had changed was a gate on Normanby Rise just above the playing field. In bicycles with his son because of doubts about the brakes. He 1910 Caistor Rural District Council said Claxby had narrow was thrown off the bike, landed on his head and and dangerous roads where work should be carried out. It subsequently died in Lincoln Hospital. also said that the gates should be removed. John Brant and Bicycles may have been important for personal use but John Bristow can remember the gate so no action was taken horses remained the prime means of moving goods locally at at the time! It was probably finally cleared away in the least until the late 1920s. They were used in close 1930s. There was also a gate on the road to Claxby House relationship with the railways which hauled most goods Farm. The footpaths were well used and the villagers were long-distance. At Claxby station from 1868 Wilkinson interested in maintaining them. In 1901 the parish council Brothers ran a coal haulage business. They had their own drew the attention of the surveyors to the very bad condition railway wagons coming into sidings at Claxby from where of the footpaths in the village especially that from the school they hauled to consumers by horse wagon. Wilkinsons to the Terrace. In December of the same year, Thomas bought their first lorry, a second hand thirty hundredweight Rickell, charged with obstructing a public footpath in FIAT between 1919 and 1921. They sold their business in Claxby with a sheep net, said that he didn’t know he was causing an obstruction and commented on three trees still across the footpath from “windy Saturday” the previous August. Justice appears to have been done, the case was withdrawn on payment of costs. Children walked to the village school in Pelham Road (now the Viking Centre) from the whole of the parishes of Claxby, Normanby and Usselby. For some this was several miles each morning and evening in good and bad weather. The school log books frequently commented on poor attendance caused by bad weather; on 16 April 1913 only 24 children were registered out of a total roll of 46 because it was very wet and on the 15 January 1914 only 9 attended because of a severe snow storm. Children didn’t have plastic One of Wilkinson’s railway wagons mackintoshes or wellingtons. They probably covered themselves with sacking and hoped their boots were 1955. Horses were used in pairs, threes or fours to pull waterproof.. Again on March 10th 1916 the log book wagons but there were also ponies and traps. Horse drawn records ‘very stormy weather during the past week. The road carts were common on the roads, often travelling in small on the hill and in the moor being nearly impassable the convoys. The wagoners normally did not drive them, they distant children have been absent every day. Two weeks later walked beside the lead horse. In most cases therefore there on 28 March there were gales and heavy snowfalls and only were no driving reins or only reins to the lead horse. It was 15 children were present. We have no similar record as to of course dangerous to try to drive a pair or more if there whether their fathers were able to get to work but since they were reins only to one horse and this was a punishable probably weren’t paid if they didn’t appear they would have offence. On occasions a wagoner, lazy or tired, hopped up made every effort and of course some would have been living behind his horses and was duly caught and charged by the on their master’s land. police. In 1902 James Brown, servant, Claxby, was There were bicycles in the village from early in the summoned for riding without reins on a wagon on Station

51 Road Claxby. In 1913 a Police Constable saw a wagon and District Motor Bus journeyed to Wembley. It started at three horses with no-one in charge and saw Thomas Rowell 6.45am and arrived in Berkhampstead at 5.30pm stopping wagoner of Normanby riding in front with another wagon. five times for refreshments. The following day it conveyed He was fined 5/- and 4/6d costs and as late as 1938 Leonard the passengers to Wembley and returned to Claxby on the Bushell a farm worker of Claxby was fined 7/6d for a similar third day. It cost £1 per person and must have been offence. The owner’s name and address had to be painted on successful because the journey was repeated in September each vehicle and this was a frequent cause of trouble with the carrying 14 people. This time several of the party went to law. In 1919 Fred Cant platelayer, Claxby, was fined 7/6d Wembley on the Friday night for the torchlight tattoo. The for failing to have his name and address painted on his cart. evening finished with the audience of 125,000 singing Abide Even as late as 1932 Charles Crompton of Claxby was fined with Me and the National Anthem. What an adventure! If 5/- for ‘allowing a cart to be on the highway without having Claxby had a motor bus in 1924 it seems likely that there the owner’s name and address thereon’ although the were a few more cars or motor bikes in the area before that magistrate did say it was a very old fashioned case. The law than records suggest. Fred Grantham, electrician of Claxby also required lights on wagons. In 1908 George Drifill had a motor bike. He was accused of driving it to the danger labourer, Claxby was fined 1/- and 4/6d costs for driving a of the public at the Oxford Street crossing in Market Rasen spring cart in the village street without a light and in 1920 in 1924. Fortunately for him the case was dismissed. By Sarah Cant of Claxby was fined 5/- for driving a pony and this time it is noticeable that non locals were being regularly trap without lights on Caistor Road, Kirkby cum Osgodby. summonsed for motoring offences so it appears that She said the candle had burnt out and she had no more with significant numbers of vehicles were on the roads and that her. Drivers and riders of horses out after dark must have people were travelling some distance. relied on their animals to find the way as there were no The roads must have become all the more dangerous with headlights. horses and horse drawn vehicles competing for road space Inevitably there were accidents and some were tragic. In with bicycles, motor cars, motor bicycles, motor buses and 1904 William Crawford whose parents lived in Claxby was motor lorries. Claxby soon had experience of this. In July killed in an accident in Grimsby while driving a team of four 1926 Mr Maultby, cycling to catch the post at Mr Sharp’s horses. In 1913 David Woodforth aged 15 with three others corner, collided with a motor car driven by Austin Lee the was returning with three wagons of cake from Holton son of the Rector. The powers that be clearly had no doubt Station. As it started to rain, he clambered on the front of as to the guilty party. The comment in the Market Rasen the wagon to get his coat and fell, the wheels passing over Mail said Mr Maultby ran into the side of the car so he was him. He died before he could be taken to the hospital in evidently cutting the corner! The poor man was taken home Market Rasen The foreman reported to the inquest that the and attended by Dr Torrens. In the following year Mr B boy was sober having had two glasses of beer at 10am and Bristow with Mr Brant on the pillion had one side of the two at 2.30pm, the roads were greasy and the horses quiet. back forks on his 5hp Omega motorcycle collapse coming In 1914 three wagons laden with wood and belonging to Mr down Normanby Hill. It rendered the back brake useless Byron were coming down Normanby Rise at St Peter’s and the bike hard to steer. Mr Bristow was forced to drive Cottage when the brake shoe on the second wagon slipped into the bank and was scratched and bruised. Mr Brant forcing it onto the back of the first wagon. The horse had dislocated the bones in his hand and foot and was to be shot and the wagoner suffered a crushed arm.. Some unconscious for a time. One has to wonder about driving accidents, while not so serious to life and limb, still caused standards as there were a startling number of accidents problems among the farming community. In June 1926 affecting Claxby people. There was of course no driving test Joseph Chappell, a farmer from Claxby claimed £10 1s 5d at this time. In 1928 the Rev. Lee and Mr S Sharp, driving for damage to harness, trap and goods from John W home from Lincoln via Stow, were in collision with a van Simpson from Moortown. Mr Simpson’s labourer was near Ingham. The car was wrecked and the van badly driving a float carrying hurdles. The horse bolted when two damaged. The occupants were knocked partly unconscious, partridges flew over and he couldn’t hold it. It collided with shocked, bruised and shaken. The Rev Lee was 71 at the Mr Chappell’s trap which tipped over onto the pony. Mr time so had obviously come fairly late to driving. He died Chappell lost fourteen dozen eggs. The labourer said Mr later in the year and the report said he had not recovered Chappell was driving in the middle of the road which was from his accident. The following month, Mr W C Bristow denied. Mr Simpson had to pay out the full amount plus hit a badger in his car, the force of the collision sending him costs into the ditch, fortunately with no injuries. The motor car and motor cycle seem to have made a The most tragic case in these early years, recorded in relatively late appearance in Claxby. There is one tantalising 1938, was that of Mrs E Smith wife of the Rector who was reference in the Rasen Mail that, in 1917, the auction of Rev thrown out of the car and died of her injuries. The Rev William Andrews effects included a Ford coupe. The first Smith and his sister in law were less seriously hurt. Even firm evidence is when W C Bristow, reminiscing in the stationary vehicles caused trouble; Eric Smith son of the Market Rasen Mail many years later recalled that he had Claxby station master broke his right forearm trying to start bought his first car in 1921. In 1923 J H Wildsmith was his motor lorry. Of course accidents didn’t only happen in fined 10/- for not having proper lights on his motor car; he the early years of the motor car. In 1954, Aubrey Alan had headlights but no sidelights. In August the following Smith of the Terrace, Claxby drove a lorry loaded with a tree year the Market Rasen Mail reported that the Claxby and that caught a van going the other way. He was fined £5 for

52 carrying a load likely to cause danger to other road users. Normanby Hill has been the site of regular accidents. Just before the war a Laws lorry carrying pop had its brakes fail just below St Peter’s Cottage. There were broken and unbroken bottles of pop all over the hill. The local children were delighted! In 1974 two boys, Neil Surfleet and James Scott were cycling down the hill in the dark and met a stray beast. They collided as they tried to avoid it and James Scott had a nasty case of concussion with a cracked skull, temporary loss of taste and loss of hearing in his right ear. In winter the hill was even more notorious. The writer well remembers coming down it sideways in her car and smashing into a lorry which itself had skidded across the road at Normanby Halt in the 1970s and others must have had similar experiences. It was not the fault of the The Lindsey Rambler conditions when the largest vehicle ever to be stuck on the down and take up passengers at Market Rasen and Walesby. hill, a steam engine came to a halt in May 1966. Mr Ray Objections to this application, from the Lincoln Road Car Drakes had bought it from Lindsey County Council and Company and the Great Central Railway Company were collected it from Claxby station yard intending to drive it to dismissed. A further application in 1932 to run a series of Humberston. All went well until it stopped above excursions was also opposed by the railway company on the Normanby Halt. The whole contraption started to roll grounds that he would pick up passengers outside a four backwards. He managed to steer it into the bank where it mile radius of Claxby. Comments reported in the Market stayed causing much comment until the repair could be Rasen Mail suggested that the railway’s real concern was that carried out. Luckily there were no injuries. the bus service would offer a later return home than the railway. By 1936 Mr Bristow was applying for an additional seventeen excursion licences mainly relatively local but including the Royal Show and the Yorkshire Show. He had support from Tealby, Market Rasen Urban District Council and Lt Col Heneage MP. The Lincolnshire Road Car Company objections were overruled. The second world war brought immediate petrol rationing and therefore the slowing down of the spread of motor transport. Petrol had to be used for the running of essential businesses and services and the law leant hard on those who abused this. A farmer was fined heavily in Market Rasen. He converted a trip to the market, which was permitted, to a shopping trip which wasn’t. He was seen parked outside several shops in King Street. Ditched steam roller This shortage of petrol also lead to the resurgence of horses being used, certainly on the farm and probably off it Owning a car was still pretty rare in the 1930s and many as well. Draft horses fetched high prices throughout and people were happy to use the motor bus provided by Mr after the war. In March 1940 the Market Rasen Mail WC Bristow. The story of the Claxby and District Motor reported that heavy horse prices were rising and in February Bus Company demonstrates the way in which people of 1942 at a sale at Messrs Maultby Brothers’ farms in Claxby fairly average income living in rural communities became a mare made 91 guineas, a filly 71 guineas and all horses able to visit the rest of the country and even abroad. Mr made upwards of £50. The Fordson tractor also made £90 Bristow owned a car which he used as a taxi. In 1924 when The war gave women the chance to undertake jobs not he undertook the trips to Wembley he had a motor bus, open to them before and transport had its share of pioneers. bought in about 1923. By 1927 he had bought a FIAT bus, Even in Claxby the old ways were going. In March 1940 the called it the Lindsey Rambler and had built a garage with Market Rasen Mail reported that Miss G M Bristow was the petrol pumps at the corner of Mulberry Road and first local woman to secure the official permit to drive a Normanby Rise. He used the bus to run regular market day Public Service Vehicle It also mentioned that Miss L A services to Market Rasen via Walesby, Tealby and Drayton had been driving the school bus albeit without an Willingham, Saturday services to Grimsby and the school appropriate licence. A week later it had to apologise as Miss run to De Aston at Market Rasen and from Market Rasen to Drayton apparently did have her PSV licence. Bus journeys, . By 1930 the Market Rasen Mail particularly excursions must also have been much restricted was reporting on a successful Devonshire Holiday run by Mr compared with before the war. Bristow and in 1931 he was granted a licence for all his After the war the growth in the numbers of motor existing services and excursions and tours to all places vehicles resumed albeit slowly. New cars were in short previously visited. He was also granted permission to put supply. One had to order a car, and there wasn’t much

53 choice as to colour, and wait several months or even years for Clark a relief signalman was found dead by natural causes in delivery. Petrol continued to be rationed until well after the his signal box by the guard of the early morning tank train. war. Despite this the Claxby and District Motor Bus His colleague had a couple of unnerving experiences after Company resumed its coach holidays, advertising tours of that which he could only relate to Aubrey Clark. This was Devon and Cornwall in 1950 and extended them abroad supported by a woman motorist who saw a scooter, Aubrey later in the decade, venturing to Switzerland and taking De Clark’s mode of transport, pass across her at the railway Aston pupils to Paris for the rugby. However health and crossing where there was no road. When the signal box safety regulations at home were becoming more restrictive. John Bristow, who had taken over from his father, was told that the petrol pumps at the garage could not be used because they swung over the footpath. Unable to find a solution acceptable to the authorities he decided to close the business down in 1965. Even before this he had withdrawn his market day services in 1963 as they were losing money. This suggests that by this time car ownership had reached a point where most people would rather use their own transport than the local bus. Caistor RDC campaigned throughout the 1950s and well into the 1960s for improvements in public transport in rural areas and enlisted the help of its MP. Sadly this proved unsuccessful. The Lincoln Road Car Company said it simply wasn’t profitable. Subsidies would have been required and it wasn’t one of the government’s priorities. In any case some experiments locally did not generate much Osgodby School Outing at Claxby and Usselby Station response. As Bristows had found most people wanted to use their own cars to their own timetable. At the end of the closed in 1989 the Mail wondered where the ghost would century things were much the same. go. Nickerson Coal Company, the successor to Wilkinsons The railway was no more successful. At the beginning of failed to get planning permission for two houses on the the century it was pre eminent in long distance goods station site in 1966 so the station may have been demolished haulage. Claxby was served by the Great Central Railway by then, making it all the more spooky. Company which was amalgamated into the London and In 1972 a tragic accident occurred on the railway at the North Eastern Railway in 1923 although it continued to be Grange Farm crossing. At that time the only access to the called the GCRC for some years thereafter. Wilkinson who farm was from the A46 across a private level crossing. A had the coal business based at Claxby and Usselby Station young family living at the cottage were killed when their van also hauled building materials and other goods that arrived was struck by the 9.30pm London to Cleethorpes express. by train to a number of nearby villages. It was also The Parish Council meeting a few weeks later decided to important for passengers, especially for group outings. wait for the outcome of the enquiry before asking what Women of the surrounding villages also used the train to further safety measures could be instituted. take their produce to the weekly market at Lincoln. This In the years immediately following the withdrawal of bus was disrupted in 1921 by a strike which stopped the trains. services and the closing of the station, travelling shops Wilkinsons started an ‘emergency run’ for the women, helped to fill much of the void. In 1962 there were collecting them in the morning and bringing them home apparently 27 tradesmen coming into the village. The again. They probably picked them up nearer their homes managers of the school caused a furore in the Mail as they than the train could do. If the train was under that sort of tried to persuade each of these tradesmen to contribute 10/- competition by 1921 it was not surprising that throughout toward the maintenance of the school. In the 1970s Alice the 1920s when Mr Bristow was establishing his bus Nickson remembers a baker, butcher, grocer, fruiterer and company, the railway was nervous of any erosion of its the co-op visiting at least weekly and Michael and Mary position. Well before the war the Market Rasen Mail was Sharp recall also a fishmonger and hardware van selling showing concern at the lack of passengers on the railway and paraffin. A list of all the travelling shops is included in the warning ‘use it or lose it’. Locally Claxby was where the axe chapter Village Organisation, Housing and Services. was to fall first. In 1959 British Rail, the successor of the Car ownership widened gradually. In an interview in the LNER announced that it was to close Claxby and Usselby Market Rasen Mail in 1962 W C Bristow thought that Station. This would save just £430 a year in running costs people needed a car. Eileen Wilmot who lived in Claxby and £2,000 refurbishment costs for the station buildings. House remembers she didn’t have a car for her own use until The Caistor RDC and the Parish Council fought a vigorous 1972 although she could borrow her father’s or husband’s for campaign supported strongly by the MP, Marcus Kimball. the day if she took them to work first. By the 1980s when Sadly the protests had no effect and the station closed in most people in the village worked elsewhere some form of March 1960. The signal box remained open. It was of transport was essential. To reach Market Rasen a bicycle was course now isolated and perhaps this gave rise to a ghost sufficient although it was uncomfortable in bad weather but story which featured in a BBC programme. In 1968 Aubrey to go further and to be able to return in less than a day was

54 very difficult. Motor bikes, scooters, cars and vans were relied on taxis or friends or the daily bus, introduced on an more favoured although this often still left the wife at home experimental basis. Unfortunately this didn’t come through without transport. At the end of the century few households the main part of the village and didn’t connect with any in the village had only one car. With both husband and wife other services, rail or road in Market Rasen. Another working and often adult children at home it was more experiment, a weekly bus laid on by Morrisons of common to have one vehicle per person and young people Scunthorpe had few takers. It is clear that people are very learnt to drive as soon as possible. The few who didn’t drive reluctant to give up any of the convenience that a car brings.

5 EDUCATION

For most people in the early 1900s education meant have retired a week or so after her 62nd birthday. Miss Alice elementary school from the age of five to twelve or fourteen. and Miss Nellie continued until 1928. Miss Nellie appeared For a few who passed the qualifying examination, Grammar in a school photograph dated around 1922. They served the Schools offered a classically based academic course to age school long and well. An HMI Inspector reporting in 1928 sixteen or eighteen at which time the very fortunate could said ‘the head teacher and her sister are both retiring after move on to university. Grammar School had to be paid for. long periods of faithful and earnest service during which Elementary schooling had only been free from 1891 so free they have impressed their refined personalities upon the education for five to fourteen year olds was still something school to a marked degree’. Miss Alice was 65, Miss Nellie of a novelty. Claxby had been fortunate to have had a school 62. George Surfleet, who was at the school from 1927 from the 1850s and also to have had a schoolmaster of remembered a Miss Canty. He said she was quite a considerable competence who attracted pupils from outside disciplinarian, as she probably needed to be to keep control his catchment area. The Market Rasen Mail, recording of over 30 pupils aged 8 to 14, many of whom would rather reminiscences of Miss Bristow, said that the Lusby children be out in the fields or workshops. In an interview with a walked from Walesby and the Sharps came from Holton le correspondent for Lincolnshire Life around 1912 Miss Moor . Their parents must have held him in high regard. By Fanny Canty said that the specialities of the school were the beginning of the 20th century however he was retired carpentry and paper folding. She believed that Claxby was and two and possibly three of his daughters had taken over the first school in Lindsey with a mistress in charge to teach the school, Miss Fanny Canty as headteacher and Miss Alice carpentry. and Miss Nellie as assistants. The school log books are Although the school had only two rooms, the larger one available only from 1913 so information for the first twelve had a moveable half screen. It was therefore feasible for two years of the century is very limited. Kelly’s Directory for teachers to operate in the one large room. This probably 1900 said that there were 63 children in the school and this occurred when the mine was in production and the figure diminished over the next ten years or so. It is population was at its highest. This could well have carried therefore quite likely that all three sisters were teaching in over into the twentieth century when the three Canty sisters the school at the turn of the century and that as numbers fell were teaching. There was one further period when numbers a third teacher could no longer be justified. In any event in rose sharply. In 1932 to 1937 numbers rose to 77 and a 1915 Miss Fanny Canty left the school to take over as third teacher was appointed. Motley Brant who started headteacher at Holton le Moor as the headteacher there had school in 1935 remembers three teachers including Mrs joined the army. Miss Alice took over the headship at Curry and Miss Fisher. He also remembers that there were Claxby and in 1916 there is mention in the log book of Miss three fires in the school so clearly the original plans had M H Canty, the assistant mistress taking the children on a assumed a three class school. Some old pupils can remember nature walk. In 1918 Miss Fanny returned, but only for a the larger classroom being divided into two classes albeit year. On 1st 1919 July Miss Alice signed herself into the log with only one teacher. According to the school records, book as headteacher again. Her eldest sister appeared to pupils studied the three ‘Rs’, history and geography, music, needlework, nature study and drawing. There was mention of paper folding but not of carpentry in the log book. There was also a strong emphasis on religious education which all pupils apparently studied whether Anglican, Methodist or anything else. An inspector from the church visited annually to hear the pupils rehearse their catechism and to question the children on their knowledge of the Bible. They usually passed with flying colours as this extract from the report of 1918 shows, ‘the inspection showed ample evidence of careful teaching and training. The children were reverent and answered well in parts of the catechism, prayer book, old and new testaments. The written work was unusually accurate’. The Rector or often his curate attended the school regularly, although some curates were less than reliable, to Miss Nellie Canty with one of her classes take assembly and ensure the religious teaching was

55 satisfactory. The level of music knowledge expected of 6 weeks. The teachers lived outside the village and couldn’t teachers and pupils in such a small isolated place was make it. It was not until 1961 that transport was made surprising; the inspectors report in 1924 says ‘the seniors available for children living in Normanby. have voices of good quality and render their songs well but Epidemics had a more serious effect on attendance, on sight reading of music with elementary ideas of staff occasion causing the school to close for a week or more. notation theory needs more attention’. These were much more common in the 1900s to 1930s All the pupils were taught everything, boys certainly before any wholesale immunisation was available (except for learnt needlework or craftwork. Michael Sharp can smallpox). The first year for which we have records of the remember making rugs as late as the 1940s and both he and school, 1913, showed that the school closed for two weeks in George Surfleet recall the nature study walks to the Platts, March for chickenpox, and for five weeks for whooping the woods and up on the Wolds. The only exception seemed cough and ringworm from 21 May to 30 June. Such to be in homemaking which the more senior girls were interruptions occurred at intervals of three to six years until taught in small groups at the head teacher’s house. The the Second World War when although poor attendance school log book records that in June 1914 Ruth Chapman because of sickness was noted it didn’t seem to lead to the and Annie Barker went to the teacher’s home to learn home closing of the school. Influenza, measles and mumps all making and cookery and this continued for several years. ravaged the school at various times. Five weeks were lost to Nora Maddison, a pupil from 1919 to 1926, well mumps in February and March 1925. To try and protect remembers going to the ‘Teacher’s House’ to learn how to themselves from these long closures, schools were very quick scrub floors, brick by brick, clean silver and brass, cook and to exclude children with infectious complaints. In 1919, many other household tasks. Her needle work classes 1920 and 1927 children with impetigo were excluded and in included cutting out and making up night dresses. There 1929 three with scabies. Teachers were not immune to was a sewing machine in the classroom but most of the work illness and in a small school of only two or three staff this was done by hand. By 1929 the log books comments on 10 had a serious effect. Indeed in December 1920 the school lessons for the senior girls in mothercraft given by the school had to close because both teachers were sick and when one nurse. The visits of the nurse and doctor seem to have been was absent for a long time as Miss Tomlinson was with of long standing, certainly both were attending from 1913 scarlet fever for 6 weeks in 1930 the pressure on the other when the available log books begin and may have dated from teacher must have been considerable. Supply teachers were 1908 when an act of parliament gave local authorities the sometimes sent but were not always much appreciated. On right to set up a school medical service. In addition the one occasion a young man “of no particular ability” was brighter, older pupils helped teach the young ones for brought in from Lincoln to help. perhaps one lesson a day and the more able were taught Children were absent for other reasons and the school quite advanced maths such as algebra in the final years. The attendance officers were kept pretty busy although Claxby’s teachers must have been in some difficulty to keep all record, with one exception in the 1930s, was good. Many abilities occupied up to age fourteen. Nora Maddison for parents kept children at home to help with siblings and to instance had passed her entrance exam for the grammar work on the farm or smallholding. This despite the fact that school, but because her grandfather couldn’t afford to send the school holidays were linked with harvest and potato her, had to stay at Claxby school until she was fourteen. picking times. Holiday dates were not set centrally. It was The resources the staff had were quite small. The yearly left to the school managers, in effect the Chairman, no estimates for 1914-1915 showed £5.10s 0d for books, doubt prompted by the local landowners and farmers, to stationery and needlework materials and 6/6d for announce when the school would break up for harvest. This limewashing the out offices and porch and sweeping the was anytime in August or September for the grain harvest walls of the schoolroom and classroom. and usually October for potato picking. The Rector would Getting to school posed problems for the pupils from attend to announce the closure of the school with immediate time to time. For a long time into the century they were effect. No chance to plan a holiday. Even later in the expected to walk to school not only from Claxby but also century although holiday dates might have been agreed with from Normanby and Usselby. They didn’t necessarily use the education office they still fell at the traditional times. As the roads; footpaths criss-crossed the parishes and no doubt late as the 1950s children had holidays to help with the the children took the most direct route. Footpaths and potato harvest. tracks across fields would succumb quickly to bad weather Parents who kept their children away from school were and on the whole winters were more severe then. The prosecuted although it is likely that the school turned a blind School log books record many days when few children eye when there was a serious crisis at home. No doubt the turned up and sometimes they were so wet they were sent school attendance officer also issued warnings before straight home again. Even summers could be wet and considering prosecution. Nonetheless the Market Rasen stormy. In July 1914 on two separate days only 28 and 29 Mail routinely reported such cases in schools in the district respectively of the possible total of 44 children turned up and in December 1925, W J Marsh a labourer living at the and this happened again in 1916 when only 19 pupils Grange, Claxby was fined 10/- for neglecting to send his attended. Usually however these were isolated occasions. In children to school. His four children had only managed to winter bad weather caused poor attendance more regularly record 252 attendances out of 452. Unfortunately this but only rarely did it force the school to close, although in didn’t deter him. He was fined a further 10/- in December the bad winter of 1947 the school did close down for about 1926 when his children had only managed 363 out of 804

56 attendances. The Mail said that the children were treated school inspector’s report in September 1933 commented on well at school and given warm cocoa. Not everyone thought the deterioration in the school but expressed a hope that education for all was a good thing. Reminiscing in the Mail with the arrival of the new headteacher matters would in 1938 one elderly farmworker said, perhaps with his improve. He gave some details of what he found ‘The infant tongue in cheek, ‘they get such a good education that they room, with accommodation for 17 held 28 and the main don’t want to tackle any kind of work’ He himself had only room held 43. The children were under good control and gone to school in the winters. He spent the summers well disposed to work. There was evidence of more than ‘tenting cows along the local lanes’. average mental power and the present deficiencies are due to The school seemed to have been lucky in its staff for the bad grounding in subjects of fundamental importance. early part of the century and certainly they stayed for many When the headteacher took over she ordered new stationary. years giving the children great stability. Sadly, after the It took six months for it to arrive.’ This may not have been Misses Canty left in 1928 the school suffered from a high the fault of the education authority or even the supplier. turnover of head teachers. Miss Vickers took over the Miss Curry recorded, no doubt with great frustration that a headship with a ‘monitress’ who was replaced by Miss Emily requisition she sent to the Rector on 30 September 1933 Tomlinson. Miss Tomlinson stayed for 9 years with a long arrived at the Education Office 16 May 1934. absence in 1929/30 with scarlet fever. Miss Vickers however The rise in numbers justified a supplementary teacher only stayed for 2 years and two temporary headteachers, Lily who arrived in October 1933. In the next two years there Drayton and Jessie Saynor, filled in successively until a were two temporary teachers who between them covered permanent headteacher, Miss Curry, arrived in October only part of the time. Phyllis Fisher arrived in July 1935. By 1932. In May 1933 the school attendance officer said it had this time the school roll was falling and when Miss the poorest attendance record in the district. Some absence Tomlinson left in 1937 she was not replaced. Miss Fisher, was due to whooping cough but most was for trivial reasons later Mrs Walker, continued at the school for several years and he threatened some parents with a summons. By this with some breaks for maternity leave and illness and is time the number on roll had rocketed to 77 so it is hardly mentioned in the log book until 1949. There were other surprising that the two staff were having problems. The assistant teachers who stayed for some years including Miss

Claxby School 1949 Back Row left to right, Michael Sharpe, Muriel Rose, Eddie Prosser, Pearl Robinson, David Smith, Joyce Carter, Douglas Embleton, Neville Fieldsend, Jennifer Hather, Brian Smith, Mary Jacklin, Charles Cade, Hazel Surfleet, John Robinson Middle Row, Desmond Smith, Michael Owen, Annie Carter, John Cade, Betty Brumby, Michael Carter, Billy Hather, George Brumby, Kathleen Clark, David Prosser, Betty Owen, David Clark, Roy Jacklin Front Row, Colin Brumby, Freda Rose, Pat Carter, Terry Carter

57 Dales from 1950 to 1956 and Mrs Barton who started in went to Caistor Grammar and in 1946 four children passed 1964 and effectively remained until the school closed in the qualifying examination; in 1947 two boys went to De 1971. Headteachers with some exceptions lasted less well. Aston, in 1949 Jennifer Hotter passed the examination for The school had eighteen changes of head in the forty three Castor Grammar and in 1961 two more boys went to De years between Miss Alice Canty retiring and the school Aston. The very first record of examination success was in closing and this includes eight years by Mrs Curry, seven 1915 when Sam Sharp and Ben Bristow passed the years each by Miss Cooper and Mrs Evans and five years by examination qualifying them to begin a pupil teachership. Mrs Norman nee Robyns. This compares with only three At that time a student could learn to be a teacher ‘on the headteachers from 1850 to 1928. The school may have also job’. Sam Sharp passed the Cambridge Senior Exam in 1920 had the help of occasional or specialist teachers. Miss Esther and went on to become a headteacher at St Michael’s School Dowman who died aged 92 in 1960 was reported as having Louth and the organist at St James, Louth.. Ben Bristow left been ‘one of our school teachers for years’. She may have the district to teach in north London. been a needlework teacher but her name appears nowhere in The school started to come under threat of closure in the school log books. 1946 when it was listed as being due for closing. The Pupil numbers fluctuated widely within the year as managers and Parish Council mounted a strong resistance children moved in and out of the area with their parents. campaign. This was the first evidence of any resistance to Each April when the statute hirings took place in the local authority and it was successful in the short term. It probably towns, a proportion of farmworkers moved to new caused the headmistress to leave prematurely. As soon as the employers. This must have caused serious disruption to school was listed she applied for another job in the both the pupils and the school. If the numbers of pupils leaving and joining were about the same the school roll would be unchanged and we would not be aware of the difficulties the school was coping with. However in some years there were big changes; in 1915 and 1921 there were five extra children after Easter, in 1923 fifteen new children appeared and in 1932, the year in which the school leaving age was raised to fifteen, the number of children on roll suddenly jumped from around fifty to seventy seven. By no means all of this would have been due to the extra year’s tuition. In 1937 children over eleven moved to the senior school in Market Rasen other than those who passed the qualifying examination who went either to De Aston which was a boys’ grammar school or Caistor Grammar which was mixed. Twenty children therefore left in the Summer of Claxby School 1970 1937. The fluctuations diminished thereafter although Back Row, left to right, Mrs Barton, Helen Johnson, Mark numbers did rise in 1939 when fifteen evacuees arrived from Leeds. Imagine what a different world these children from Wilmot, Sarah Cade, Pauline Wheatley, Linda Wallace, the industrial heart of a large city met in a small isolated Neil Surfleet, Mr McNeish village. Information in the years after the war is less Middle Row, Mary Bristow, Lesley Swan, Jane Johnson, comprehensive but it seems that numbers in the school fell Michael Wallace, Mark Borrige, David Thompson, Nigel to twenty seven in 1944, rose to thirty two in 1948 and Borridge hovered between twenty and thirty until 1961 when they Front Row, Diane Johnson, Kate Tolliday, Sally Johnson, rose steadily to fifty three in 1964 before dropping again to Deborah Smith, Lynette Sharp, Adrian Smith, Donna the mid twenties when it closed. Sharp Until 1937 the great majority of children started and completed their education at the elementary school. A few Cotswolds. The listing may also have been an excuse for the passed the qualifying examination for the Grammar School only piece of serious vandalism recorded up to that time. All either in Market Rasen or Caistor. Girls were at a the windows were smashed over a weekend. The school had considerable disadvantage. De Aston was a boys only school to be closed for a day for repairs to be carried out. There was and Caistor Grammar was mixed. Girls, therefore, had nothing missing and no sign of entry. The threat of closure fewer places to aim for. The Market Rasen Mail in 1944 returned in 1964 but was again postponed. Finally, in 1969, commented that girls had only a one in four chance when there were only twenty two pupils on roll, the threat compared to boys. This imbalance remained until 1972 returned yet again. This time closure seemed inevitable. At when De Aston became co-educational. In 1974 it became a public meeting in October no objections were raised comprehensive and the old senior school was closed. The against the closure but only about the teaching arrangements school log book records some but probably not all of the at Holton Le Moor where the children were due to go. The children who went on to a grammar school. The first record process of closure continued and in December 1971 Claxby is in 1937 when Leonard Maultby went to De Aston, in School closed after over one hundred and fifteen years. It 1941 Motley Brant also went to De Aston and in 1943 his had given its pupils an adequate and frequently a good basic brother John followed him. In 1943 Daphne Embleton education. It introduced them to music, encouraged them

58 to look at the world around them and gave them some In 1925 the School Managers decided to adopt the practical domestic skills. It taught them the tenets of the Lindsey County Council free library scheme and in Christian faith and it seemed to have received children from November the Mail reported that the free library was open a fairly wide social class. Its closure had a significant for half an hour on Monday evenings at the Institute room. influence on the village. Mothers (it was nearly always Despite its home being the WI room the library seemed to mothers then) no longer walked the village streets, taking the have been under the control of the school. There are records children to school or met with friends while waiting for of Miss Canty leaving the school during daytime to oversee school to close in the afternoon. Children now left the the exchange of books by the County Council. The County village at five. No longer was the school the focus of activity. authorities must have been satisfied with the take up of the It was a body blow for the village service because in 1953 a speaker at the WI monthly An effort was made in 1922 to set up an Evening School meeting described the measures taken to provide villages in the village school. English and commercial arithmetic with a comprehensive library service and said that the were offered on Mondays and Thursdays. Classes were open amount of reading in villages was increasing. There were to those over fourteen. There is no record of how popular or still records of the books being changed at the WI rooms in successful this experiment was. There were no adult 1959. This must have been about the last time the exchange education facilities in the village at the end of the century occurred. In 1960 a mobile library service started which but for those with transport opportunities were available in continued to the end of the century. It was attended Market Rasen and other towns in the area. faithfully by a small number of people who were concerned that low usage might lead to the service being withdrawn.

6 LEISURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT

In the early years of the 20th century people seem to have little money could have led to a very impoverished life for spent most of their leisure time in the village. Of course they villagers but the regular reports of events organised in the hadn’t the means to leave very easily, only the wealthiest village tell of a community enjoying itself and supporting families had horses other than heavy horses and bicycles did itself whenever possible. Many of the events recorded were not appear to be commonplace nor were they ideal in bad associated with the church and the chapels. The Market weather. The railway could have been used to get to Market Rasen Mail had frequent reports of socials organised in the Rasen and elsewhere but there is no record that it was much Methodist halls and schoolrooms. On New Years Day 1900 used for leisure. Of course villagers did leave the parish, Mr and Mrs Hewitt, staunch Methodists who lived at Samuel Jordan of Claxby was fined 2/6d for being drunk on Langham House gave members of the Wesleyan choir and licensed premises, the Red Lion Market Rasen. He admitted their friends, forty in all, a splendid sit down supper to having had a glass or two adding that it was a slippery followed by an evening of singing and games. This was an night! People went out of the village for other celebrations, annual event. The Church of England wasn’t to be outdone John Robinson of Claxby travelled to the Lincolnshire Show in the matter of great suppers. In 1902 the Rector Canon in July 1900 to receive a prize in a rather bizarre competition Andrews entertained his choirmen and bellringers to a open to labourers having brought up and placed out to ‘splendid supper of good old Christmas cheer, roast beef, and service the greatest number of children without having plum pudding after which they adjourned to the servants received parochial relief and not having occupied more than hall for singing, smoking and handbell ringing’. On the half an acre of land. He won second prize; he had seventeen previous Tuesday the ‘esteemed vicar’ had entertained the children, brought up sixteen and put thirteen out to service. choir boys and girls to a sumptuous tea. In June the same One wonders what the first prize winner had achieved! year he hosted the Market Rasen Girls Friendly Society Probably one of the highlights of the year for many of the Festival at the Rectory. young people would have been the annual Sunday school Many of the social events were concerned with raising outing, usually to Cleethorpes or . Market money for the chapels or for other official charitable causes Rasen also had two celebrations a year. The Hiring fair in but sometimes they were the result of a tragic local event. In Spring was a social event, with stalls and fairground rides. 1901 there were no state benefits, only poor relief, which Many families would have attended whether or not the man separated men, women and children in the workhouses so was seeking work. In September Market Rasen also had its anyone who had had an accident or whose family were ill feast. The school log books note that attendance was usually would have been very apprehensive. In February of that year down on feast days. Both the hiring fair and feast day Claxby had a social event in the Schoolroom to raise money remained in existence in modified form at the end of the for the widow and children of William Lowery of Holton le century. They had continued to be popular and attract Moor and other villages did likewise. £2 9s was raised in villagers for more than a hundred years. It was at the Claxby. This wasn’t a one off either. In 1909 the Market successor of the Hiring Fair in 1945 that Philip Surfleet was Rasen Mail reported ‘The ringers of the bells in Claxby tragically killed. He had attended with a friend and parish wished to mark in a practical form their sympathy although the story at the inquest was confused the coroner and respect for F Sharp, one of their members who recently thought that he had stood up in the swing boats and had received serious injuries in an accident. They organised a been tipped out. social gathering to raise ‘pecuniary benefit for the loss and The lack of transport, long working hours and for most, expense sustained by his inability to work’. A hundred of his

59 friends and neighbours from Claxby, Normanby and Tasha Pahlavi a notable Russian beauty when guests from Owersby participated in a social gathering of songs, piano Edinburgh and Cambridge as well as from the locality playing and solos. Mr Osgodby of Owersby brought the enjoyed charades and dancing in the Rectory. This was house down with his amusing songs. Bagatelle and other echoed just after the second world war when Kathleen games and dances ended the evening. Liberal subscriptions Ferrier was entertained at the Rectory by Corinne Brant’s were sent by the chief parishioners and £4 15s 6d was given parents. by the Rector to Mr Sharp’. National events, royal weddings, coronations and Some events were of a serious nature. In December 1900 jubilees gave a good excuse for village celebrations. There Mr Storey of Holton gave a lantern lecture on Bunyan’s must have been a village celebration for the coronation in Pilgrims Progress and the life of Dr Livingstone. Some were 1902 of King Edward VII as there is a photograph of a very more mixed; as part of harvest celebrations in1901 Mr large gathering in the Park but there is no report in either Cooper of Market Rasen lectured on the life of John Oxtoby, the Rasen Mail or parish records. The first record of such a a locally famous Methodist preacher, but this was followed celebration was in 1911 for the coronation of George V. A by the sale of fruit and vegetables and a bran tub after which church service in the morning was followed by a full everyone sat down to a coffee supper. programme of sporting events in the afternoon and tea. All of these events were well attended and some went on These were joint celebrations with Normanby and Usselby. until quite late. In 1921 an invitation dance organised by The total expenditure was £23 10s 5p and the balance was the dance committee in the schoolroom enjoyed twenty one sent to Market Rasen Cottage Hospital. There is no further up to date dances until midnight. Socials, dances, mention of festivities for national events until 1937, entertainments and particularly whist drives were the staple although the school had a day’s holiday for the wedding of of the village and frequently these were run in association Princess Mary in 1922. There may have been celebrations with Normanby le Wold. Over the years a great deal of for the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935. The Parish money was raised for various good causes, Gladys Bristow Council called a public meeting to discuss the matter and organised an annual whist drive for the Lindsey Association invited Normanby villagers to attend. However although for the Blind for many years. The football club and the the log book said that the school closed for two days there is cricket club raised funds through whist drives and dances. no record of what events took place. The schoolchildren The Women’s Institute had regular whist and beetle drives also had a day’s holiday for the wedding of the Duke of and throughout the first forty or fifty years of the century Gloucester in 1935. Edward VIII abdicated before his the Hospital Association relied on such events to meet their coronation, but the village did make something of the quota. In 1915 a social raised £7 7s on behalf of the Belgian coronation of his brother George VI in April 1937. The Relief Fund ‘a record for any local gathering of a like nature’. parish made a door to door collection to raise funds and in The collection was sent to Mr B S Rowntree in York. One May held a splendid day of festivities. It began with a ring wonders why this was as there were refugees in the area. of 720 doubles on the church bells. A service was held at Nettleton had raised a substantial sum for clothing for 2.30pm and then everyone went to the sports field for Belgian refugees in the Caistor Union District. It may have children’s sports (this would have been either near the been because a village woman, Sarah Littledike, worked for station or behind the Rectory). Tea for the children in the the Rowntrees in York. The school was used for many of Wesleyan chapel and for two hundred adults in the school these events as was the Wesleyan schoolroom and after 1924, should have been followed by adult sports but heavy rain the WI rooms, now the village hall. All of them included postponed these until the Tuesday evening. Coronation supper or some other opportunity for eating. The women of mugs were given to each child and the day finished with the village must have been kept busy supplying the community singing and games. School holidays were given wherewithal. in 1948 for the King and Queen’s silver wedding and for the Some of the entertainments were very ambitious. The birth of Prince Charles but the next reported village Market Rasen Mail reports a number of such events. In May celebration was in 1953 for the coronation of Queen 1907 there was dancing, recitations, waxworks, a piano solo Elizabeth. There are a number of people who can still and songs all on the same occasion and in 1923 a fete offered remember this. The weather was awful so it was held in the bowling for a pig and cockerel, skittles, guessing the weight 65 foot long barn at Grange Farm, Normanby. Bristows of a cake, a flower stall, tennis tournament and athletic coaches transported people up the hill. The barn was sports. All of this was followed by a concert of vocal and lavishly decorated. Celebrations began as usual with a instrumental music by the Market Rasen Orchestra and a packed service this time at Normanby church. The children whist drive. In 1925 the lucky participants were dancing to were given souvenir mugs, took part in a fancy dress music broadcast by the BBC. Cinderella was performed in competition and then 260 people sat down to a ham and 1926 to an audience of 260 in aid of the RNIB. By 1930 tongue tea. Because it was so wet the bonfire was set alight the entertainment included farce, a sketch, songs, with waste tractor oil and then everyone settled down to monologues, dialogues and a fairy play. Who was left to dancing and watching television until midnight. Mr Brant form the audience when so many must have been was quoted ‘it was a thundering good do. The rain didn’t performing? upset us one bit. Even our bonfire burned so brightly it lit The village was no doubt also able to enjoy vicariously a up the whole district’. The school children had three extra private party organised by Austin Lee, the brilliant, days holiday. In May 1960 the Claxby and Normanby controversial son of the Rector Rev. N Lee for the Countess Social Club held a wedding day party with races for the

60 children, side-shows, refreshments and dancing to celebrate This must have whetted the appetite of many in the Princess Margaret’s wedding to Anthony Armstrong Jones. village to try an even bigger exhibition and ‘Claxby 68’ was In 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee the village had a born. As this included many who were not members of the garden party for the children which many adults attended in WI it could fairly be called a village event. The exhibition the garden of the Old Smithy. Each child was given a crown was divided into sections and one person in the village was piece from the parish council, presented by Joan Mostyn responsible for preparing each one, for instance Joan Lewis. Trevor and Penny Lyle had a party for the village for Mostyn Lewis took responsibility for the Victoriana the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in exhibition. This was staged in the cottage now refurbished 1981 when all children were given a crown piece especially and called Corner House Farm. It was then dilapidated and struck for the occasion. hadn’t changed for many years. The men’s, women’s and In 1995 the village celebrated the centenary of the parish children’s clothes were displayed on dummies arranged in council. A week long series of events began with a fete, lifelike positions together with Victorian accessories. But continued with a village walk, a talk on the history of the this was only part of the exhibition. There was a large villages of Claxby and Normanby by Rex and Joan Russell display of embroidery, pre reformation catholic vestments, and a musical evening led by the Market Rasen and District jewellery, ceramics, copper and silver work. The Market Choir and ended with a barbecue hosted by Trevor and Rasen Flower Club decorated the church. Their theme was Penny Lyle. The church had a flower festival lasting the the Resurrection and incorporated a Noah’s Ark nearly 70 whole week and a quarter peal of Bob Doubles was rung on years old. The exhibition was a major event in the county. the church bells. Traffic police were called in to organise the numbers of Finally, to mark the millennium the village held a tree people expected to attend and there were two policemen on planting ceremony in the playing field in December 1999 point duty, probably for the only time in Claxby’s history. when the village Millennium oak and five old Lincolnshire The opening was by Mrs Nicholson of the London School fruit trees were planted. In addition two local landowners of Fashion Design and over 4,000 people attended during agreed to plant a number of native trees in the hedgerows. the four days that ‘Claxby 68’ was open. Some residents joined with Normanby le Wold for a bonfire There was one further similar event in 1973 when Mrs on the playing field on New Year’s Eve, an echo of the close Smith organised exhibitions of painting, embroidery and links between the two villages over the previous two hundred flowers but although successful it was not on the same scale years or more. At the request of the majority of the village as ‘Claxby 68’. Claxby’s own party was held over until the summer of 2000 Many of the social events of the first sixty years or so of when a roast pig supper and party was held at Lysaghts the century were instigated by or associated in some way Social Club. with the church or chapels. By the late 1950s they were playing a far smaller role in the life of the village and clubs started to be formed. In the 1960s and 70s the Claxby and Normanby Social and Sports Club organised regular socials or dances for the village. These were usually held in the school and were well attended. Sometimes there was dancing to the Optimists and sometimes to taped compilations of dance music. This was arranged by Bill Thompson who had set up the Optimists, a group comprising himself on saxophone, Peter Surfleet on trumpet and Tom Johnson on drums. He also made the tape compilations and played the organ. He and his wife brought drinks, crisps and ice cream so that the dancers Millennium Tree Planting Ceremony could sustain their energy. Bill was a great supporter of the village. At one time he even bought a demountable building Probably the event that gave Claxby the most publicity in he hoped to erect as a village hall but, unable to find a recent years was the exhibition held in 1968. This had two suitable site, had to sell it after a few years. The dances were precursors. In 1963 the Women’s Institute displayed fine popular for a time but by the end of the 60s that generation embroidery on vestments used in Roman Catholic churches had children to care for and so were unable to go out as in North Lincolnshire. Miss Young who had won a papal readily. The next generation were either not sufficiently medal for her work gave a talk and the art needlework class numerous or simply looking for different diversions and the of the Grimsby College of Further Education were invited to social club fell into disuse. supper at the WI. In 1966 a much more ambitious Also in the 1960s there were sufficient interested exhibition was conceived principally by Mrs Smith the then youngsters to form a youth club. Under the leadership of president of the Claxby and Normanby WI. This consisted Tim Woods with the help of his wife Pauline, Angela Moss of examples of a range of modern stitchcraft together with and others in the village it flourished for a time in the old some silver work. In addition there were flower displays in gardener’s cottage at the Rectory. There was no electricity in the church. The Market Rasen Mail commented that ‘it the building so it was lit with candles which probably made exceeds anything of a similar kind attempted in Lincolnshire it a bit spooky, possibly dangerous and all the more for many years’. attractive. The youth club was still in existence in the early

61 talks, songs, tea and socialising, with occasional outings. Each year they had a Christmas party and on one occasion they were entertained by the youth club. On another Bill Thompson and the Optimists played, K C Barr sang and then led community singing. The Hillside Club seemed to run from about 1969 to 1975. There is no mention in the Rasen Mail of any activities after that date Active about the same time as the youth club and the Hillside club was the Normanby St Johns Ambulance Cadets. Its meetings were held in the school. It may have been formed because the Rector at the time Rev Gill Webber was the St John’s chaplain but whatever its provenance it had a substantial membership for the size of the two villages. In St. John’s Ambulance Cadets 1968 1968 the Rasen Mail printed a picture of the cadets showing Included in this picture are:- 9 nurse cadets, 3 ambulance cadets, 5 juniors and 8 T Smith, Mrs Langford, Vi Manson, Catherine probationers. A couple of years later there was a further Wheatley, C Belton, Dr. Reilish, Susan Surfleet, enrolment and it appeared to have continued for few years L. Fishwick, Reg Pickering, Peter Smith, Julie Smith, but was not included in the list of organisations that might Stewart Maultby, Richard Charman, Andrew Surfleet, use the village hall when the village took over the school. Gillian Bristow, Brian Wheatley, Susan Johnson, Pauline Two other active clubs in the village, the WI and the Wheatley, Mary Lou Wilmot, Robert Johnson, Marion Mothers Union are mentioned in the chapters on Life for Women and Religion respectively Bristow, Katherine Johnson Although the village celebrated great national events 70s when the village converted the school into a village hall throughout the century, there were far fewer regular social but it didn’t continue much longer because in 1975 the hall gatherings at the end than was common in earlier years of had to be closed as neither the Social Club, the Hillside Club the century. This reflects the looser collaboration between nor the youth club were operating. There was an attempt to residents, the lack of the common interest of agriculture and form a junior youth club in1974 for over 4 year olds on a the changing age structure of the population. Although Saturday afternoon. The intention was for the mothers to there is no possibility of a return to the close relationships of supervise it on a rota basis but this didn’t appear to last very the past, the village could benefit from occasional long. A further attempt to set up a youth club in the village opportunities to meet for support and friendship and a hall was made in early 1997 but in July 1998 the parish fostering of a sense of community. Some residents have council minutes reported that it had been unsuccessful. made attempts to undertake this and deserve support. The pensioners in the village had their own Hillside Club Sport also formed a large part of leisure activity for many which met regularly for about 10 months of the year, closing in the village. The first reference in the Market Rasen Mail for January and February. They met in the WI rooms for was in May 1906 when a fund raising dance was held to buy

Cricket on Claxby Playing Field

62 a cricket set for the youth of the village. The first record of February 1924 there was a meeting of the club at the station the cricket club in the Market Rasen Mail was in April 1923 when it was stated that Claxby had one of the best grounds when at the Annual General Meeting members decided to in the district. There was no other mention in the Mail until carry on with the club and had a balance of 16/8d in hand 1935 when the team beat . No doubt the so it had obviously been running for a year or so. The club closed during the war but was restarted afterwards and driving force at this time was Mr Septimus Smith the station its glory years were between 1949 and 1957. In these eight master who acted as secretary. Mr A Sharp was the years Claxby United Football Club won the East Barkwith chairman. Village League Division I at least three times, the West Wold There were reports of each Annual General Meeting but League once, the Victor Cup three times and three further the team seems at the time to have been less than trophies. They were nicknamed the Claxby Giants not only competitive. In May 1925 Claxby lost to Caistor by forty because many of them were allegedly over six feet tall but runs. It was however reliable. In May 1926 the team went because of their great success. They recruited members from to play Caistor Grammar School and no doubt members a number of local villages and had a devoted group of were upset when their opponents didn’t turn up because of supporters who followed them to their away matches by bad weather. Telephones were not common at the time. In Bristow’s bus and supplied them with coffee in flasks. In August of the same year there was some rejoicing when their innings against Waddingham reached over a hundred runs for the first time, although they were defeated. Records of the cricket team in the Mail are inconsistent. It seemed that the team was probably playing until 1935 or even up to the war. It is likely that there were no matches from 1939 to 1945 or 46 but there is no record in the paper until 1954. Again the reports are scanty but there was an article in 1959 complimenting the ‘enterprising village of Claxby’ on its new pitch and pavilion. In the same year the club registered three matches and two wins in one of which Michael Sharp made a ‘fighting innings’. For several years thereafter the correspondent records an increasing number of matches. Claxby was involved in a match that made the Guinness Claxby Giants 1948-49 Book of Records. The team played Osgodby in June 1960 D Blanchard, T Johnson, P C Thomas and made 50 but Osgodby’s only runs came from 4 byes. C Surfleet, J Surfleet, C Cade, B Adams, J Anfield The Rasen Mail recorded results for the cricket team until K Cade, E Dukes, N O Wilmot, N Wilmot 1966 and there followed a gap of over 20 years. In 1990, stimulated by the success of the Coach House indoor cricket 1951 they had enough members to run a reserve team as league and encouraged by Ian Forster who sponsored the well. At an end of season party at Market Rasen the team laying of a new wicket at the playing field, Claxby Cricket received a warm ovation from 100 football players when Club entered a team in the Burton Hunt League. In its they were presented with three cups for the season. Their second season it finished third in the Lincoln League fourth record in the League that year was; played 19, won 16 drew division and fourth in its third season. In 1993 the team 1 and lost 2. The club raised money from occasional whist were promoted to the third division, to the second in 1996 drives and other such events and they joined with the and the first in 1998. It played for one year, 1999, in the Woman’s Institute at least once, in 1960, to raise sufficient first division and then merged with South Kelsey Cricket money to fund a big children’s party. Club and ceased to play in Claxby. For the last few years of After these exploits the club tried to move to a more the 1990s only a few members of the team lived in Claxby. competitive league but in the first year had a series of defeats. In 1924 there was mention of a tennis club. At the time Perhaps, as must happen in many smaller clubs, a few key the club had been in existence for more than a year because players were no longer performing as well, were just getting it decided to reduce the subscription from 5/- to 2/6. The a bit too old or had other commitments. Whatever the following year they partially enclosed the court which they reason the team ceased to play in any formal league and their believed ‘would be of great convenience’. It recorded wins in name disappeared from the papers until 1963 when the club 1925 against Middle Rasen and Owersby and was able to advertised for friendly matches. It rejoined the local league make a dig at the cricket team who had scored only eight in the following year. The 1960s team was not as successful runs at a recent match, five of which were extras. Tennis as their predecessors had been. In its first season it lost a tournaments were held as part of village events but these number of matches and languished in the bottom half of the were probably played on courts at the Rectory and Claxby East Barkwith League. The following year it won the Victor House. There was no further reference to the club. The Cup but was well down in the League. In 1966 the team was Market Rasen Mail did say that Miss N Sharpe of Claxby so keen to play its cup match that they played on four inches took part in a tennis tournament in Market Rasen 1936. of frozen snow and beat Market Rasen Reserves 4-2. They There are still many in the village who can recall the went on to win the Innes Cup that year. exploits of the Claxby Giants in the 1950s but there was a The next successful season recorded was 1968/69 when football club in the village before the Second World War. In the team won the Challenge Cup but could do no better

63 instructed to thank Mr Abraham for the use of his field. In the same year the Rasen Mail, reporting on a meeting of the football club, said that ‘Claxby has one of the best sportsgrounds in the district’. It is possible but that both clubs used the same ground and that the tennis court was also on this field. Tennis Club subscriptions were paid to Mr T Smith at the station. He may have been the son of the station master who was himself a keen sportsman. It then moved to fields behind the Rectory where the cricket square was kept clear from cattle by an electric fence. The outfield must have been messy! When the football team was reborn in 1949 it played behind the Rectory, next to the cricket Innes Cup Winners 1966 field but moved within a season or two to a field next to Back Row, left to right, Colin Bates, Dave Clark, Mike Wilkinsons coal yard at the station. The next generation Owen, John Sharpe, Charlie Cade, Nev Fieldsend, Bill football team, in the 1960s played in a field behind Claxby Wright-Thompson (sec.), Dick Surfleet House Farm outbuildings. Only in the late 1960s did the Front Row, Nelson Wilmot, John Cade, Mike Sharp, sports field become established on its present site. The Mail Pete Surfleet, Dick Heath records in 1966 that the sports club was making steady progress towards amassing sufficient money to buy and than sixth out of a league of nine. This was still a creditable prepare the field with the help of a 30% grant from the performance for a small club but it seemed that this second Playing Fields Association. It was however the Parish generation was not as consistent as the Claxby Giants. In Council who signed the conveyance and who held the deeds 1971/72 the team lost in the final of the Innes Cup. It and who, when the sports club fell onto hard times in 1976 disappeared from the league tables in 75/76 but reappeared took over responsibility for the field. This caused some in 78/79 for one season only. This is the last reference to divisiveness over the years. At the end of the century there football in Claxby in the twentieth century was no organised sport being held on the playing field but it The first sports field was near the railway, on the Claxby is there as an open space for children to play safely and may side of the line. In 1924 the secretary of the cricket club was once again be used for football or cricket.

7 LIFE FOR WOMEN

Women’s lives changed more in the twentieth century were even more limited when they died. If women wanted than in any previous period. In the early years of the century to try anything different they had to leave the village. Sarah and in remote villages like Claxby options for young women Littledike went to York and worked for many years at the were severely limited. There was no tradition here of local Pavilion for Mrs Seebohm Rowntree and reached a position cottage industries, such as the straw bonnet making in of some seniority but we don’t know her exact job. Miss P Luton. Most villages had a dressmaker and milliner but Bristow left the village to work for the National Children’s these may not have been full time jobs, being more probably Home in Horncastle. Some women became teachers but a supplement to the household income for a married they had to stop on marriage. Few had a long term career woman, particularly in very small communities. Domestic that they could continue after marriage as is common today. service was the most common occupation for single women. In the early years of the twentieth century most married In Claxby there were a number of big houses and farms such women and mothers stayed at home although Mrs Canty, as the Rectory, Claxby House and Normanby House which mother of several children, assisted her husband by teaching would have employed servants. Michael Sharp’s mother needlework at Claxby School and sometimes a woman kept worked for Mrs Byron at Normanby House before she the shop as did Mrs Crawford early in the century and Mrs married Cyril Sharp in the late 1920s. Joyce Sharp whose Sharp later. Life for the wife and mother would have been parents lived in the Terrace worked for Miss Abrahams at difficult although she probably wouldn’t have expected Risby Manor in the late 1930s. No doubt Bayons Manor anything else. Firstly she would have had many more and Hall among others would have drawn a children than is the norm today; in 1915 Mrs John number of local girls. In addition the fever hospital in Richardson age 41 died six weeks after the birth of her baby Osgodby Woods would also have needed both domestic leaving her husband with twelve children, eleven of them workers and nursing staff. When Mildred Coulson married under twelve. As late as 1943 Annie Blanchard of Lloyds in 1903 she was described as a hospital nurse living in Farm Cottages was reported as having twelve children. The Claxby. Most women working as domestic servants would tradition of large families survived longer in places like have lived in, particularly at the bigger, more distant houses Claxby than in urban areas. Secondly there were no and would have come home for the very limited free time household appliances and very few people could afford they were allowed. The fever hospital was close enough for servants, certainly Mrs Richardson couldn’t, her husband daily attendance. Of course one daughter was expected to was a platelayer and neither could Mrs Blanchard. Heating stay at home to look after her ageing parents and her options and cooking would have been by coal or wood fires and this

64 continued until well after the Second World War. Kitty been a community event. George Surfleet remembers a pig Combs and Pam Whitwell, both born Cade, collected wood killer coming from North Owersby, Michael Sharp from Claxby Wood in the 1950s. Caistor Rural District remembers Mr Dalton of South View killed pigs and Nora Council congratulated itself on the new model closed Maddison’s first husband, Ben Smith, killed their own pig. cooking and heating ranges that it installed in its council The pig was killed, scalded and scraped then opened and houses built in the late 1940s. When the women hung overnight. The pig killer returned the following day to complained that they weren’t effective the council said they cut up the carcass. The women would then take over. In were too conservative and even if they were offered training some parts of the country the blood would have been saved they would waste the time gossiping to each other!! In 1954 for black pudding but that does not seem to have been the the council removed some of these stoves, admitting they practise in Claxby. However the offal/pig’s fry was shared were too small. Cleaning was equally laborious. There were among the neighbours. A pig produced a large amount of only brooms and brushes for sweeping and no detergents; meat and that which couldn’t be salted or cured as bacon or soap came in hard coarse blocks. Washing would have been ham needed eating fairly promptly. Sometimes some of the a nightmare by our standards. The whole of the day was fresh meat was shared among neighbours who would given over to it. Quantities of water would have been boiled reciprocate when their pig was killed. Some families sold a on the range, (some houses would have had a wash house joint or two to pay for essential items like coal. with a copper solely for this purpose and if it leaked - Potatoes and bread featured largely in the diet of the less catastrophe) scrubbing brushes and possers would have been well off. Cheese was eaten but whether this was locally made wielded and then wet washing would have been put through or not is unclear. As there was no real tradition of dairy wringers and hung outside if the weather were fine or all over farming here one suspects that only cream cheese made from the house, creating steam and a dank atmosphere, if it were milk that had ‘gone off’ was routinely made. Although wet. Once they were dry, flat irons, heated on the range standards of nutrition were improving nationally, in rural would have been used. There were no easy care fabrics, areas this was less marked mainly because of low wages. cotton, wool and linen and possibly rayon were all that were Fresh seasonal vegetables were of course available but even in available. It was not until the 1960s and 70s that easy care the 1940s tomatoes were regarded as a luxury as were fabrics became generally available. The first mention of no imported ‘exotic’ fruits such as bananas, oranges, and iron cotton appeared in the Mail in 1956. Some lucky peaches and these virtually disappeared during the war. John women would have been able to afford to have a Surfleet said that between the wars the gift of an orange at washerwoman but this would only have applied to the few. Christmas was a real treat. The range of canned and packet It was of course an opportunity for some women to earn a foods expanded in the interwar years and they included the few pence extra for the household budget. beginning of breakfast cereals. Some of these ‘new’ foods Electricity and some electrical appliances were available would have been seen in the village shops but how many nationally well before the second world war, Fred Grantham women in the village would have been able to afford them? of Claxby, when summonsed for riding a bicycle without The introduction of school dinners in 1949 and school milk lights in 1921 was described as an electrician, but as the in 1950 would have had a noticeable impact on the diet of village had no electricity until 1936 and only 8 subscribers many of the children of the less well off in the village. in 1937 not many people could take advantage of these Women would also have been expected to dress their labour saving appliances. The number of consumers children to a large extent with home made clothes. Drapers probably didn’t increase significantly during the war so one seemed to do business with the working families, and did wonders whether Joyce Sharp of the Terrace, Claxby, given a not always get paid. In 1911 T Varlow and Sons Drapers of washing machine by her employer in 1941 as a wedding Caistor claimed a debt of 12/- from G Dickinson of Claxby. present was actually able to use it. Some villages would have had a seamstress but there is no Women would also have made and cooked virtually all record of anyone in Claxby. Mothers would have had help the food eaten by their families. There were few convenience from the grandmothers. In the 1940s and 1950s Kitty foods at the turn of the century. Even at the end of the First Combs and Pam Whitwell remember their grandmother World War only a very limited range of canned foods such made clothes for all six children, in some cases cutting down as salmon, corned beef, soup and citrus fruit was available. adult coats to size. Others remember coats being made from Women may not have had to bake bread regularly as it seems blankets, the red bound edges becoming a feature in the new to have been widely available. There are references to garments. shopkeepers even in small villages being fined for selling Women therefore would have had very little time to bread other than by weight. As early as 1915 Mary themselves. Crawford was found guilty of just such an offence and fined It is all the more remarkable, therefore that, in 1918 a 2/6d. Nonetheless many would have baked their own bread. meeting in the schoolroom with Miss Dixon of Holton le They would also have bottled excess vegetables and fruit, Moor in the chair stimulated the women of Normanby and made jam, pickles and relishes when they could get hold of Claxby to form a ‘committee of propaganda’ with Mrs Byron the ingredients. Generally they prepared for their families as chairman and Miss Alice Canty as secretary. This was the whatever fresh food was available. The protein for the family beginning of the Claxby and Normanby le Wold Women’s diet of the less well off would have been mainly supplied via Institute, one of the earliest in Lincolnshire. It appears to the family pig and rabbits, probably poached. Many families have been successful from the start and by June of that year in the village had at least one pig and the killing would have the records show that seven new members were enrolled at

65 Many of the women of the two villages also were members of the Mothers Union. They met regularly, at the Rectory or the house of a parishioner, for discussions, prayers and tea. Nora Maddison remembers Mrs Brant frequently hosted these meetings at Normanby Lodge. They produced the beautiful MU Banner which is still shared between the two churches. As they were able to take their children to these meetings it offered opportunities to young women to socialise. It also was a chance for their children to play together. Life for urban women started to change profoundly after the Second World War. Reliable contraception, available nationally from the 1960s, possibly later in rural areas, the recognition of the range of work carried out by women in the war, higher education and most importantly greater WI 60th Anniversary expectations of the women themselves were all factors. From left to right, Mrs R Barton, founding members However in Claxby as in many rural villages opportunities Mrs Maultby and Mrs N Maultby and Mrs Betty for women remained fairly restricted. Cars may have been Harvey - County Chairman more common but they were beyond the ability of most young women to afford at this time. They still either had to the monthly meeting at which they were given a leave the village to find work or settle for work that was demonstration of hay box cookery and they discussed how probably well below their capabilities as many still had to do to form a fruit and vegetable depot for the Navy. Over the at the end of the century. This was a period when many next few years, meeting in the schoolroom, they covered a young people left their homes to find more rewarding work range of subjects such as the cleanliness of milk, plain bread than was available locally and did not return to live making, weaving, glove making, rushwork and tuberculosis. permanently. A number took nursing training and lived in This must have been a revelation for many of the women the hospital. Others trained as teachers and others took who had left school at 14 and for whom no further university degrees especially after the first expansion of education of any kind would have been possible. In the higher education in the late 1960s. Women definitely had nineteenth century Institutes had been established in more options than their mothers had done if they were industrial areas to offer education for working men but this prepared to leave their homes. It was probably from this opportunity was rarely extended to women and did not exist point that life in villages began to change irreversibly. Even in rural areas. In later years the WI ran training courses for those who stayed in Claxby, increasing mobility meant lasting for periods of 6 to 10 weeks. They also began what that they could look further afield for entertainment and was to become a long standing tradition of organising a therefore tended to marry men from further afield. This Christmas party for the children of Claxby, Normanby and seems to have become more common from the Second Usselby. By the third year they also invited the elderly and World War when local RAF stations were full of young men made up parcels of food to be given to the old and poor of looking for entertainment. By the end of the century most the area. They also found time to run a series of whist drives young women expected to leave the village to pursue a career to build up their funds so that in 1924 they were able to buy and many more expected a career than was the case even the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Normanby Rise which thirty years before. Moreover they did not expect to return was their home until The Claxby and Normanby Women’s to the village after marriage as most planned to combine Institute closed in 1992. In 1978 they celebrated their 60th their careers with marriage and motherhood. Young women anniversary with a party and cutting of a cake. In 1988 to had challenging and responsible jobs often taking them all celebrate their 70th anniversary the WI compiled a over the world. Marian Chapman née Bristow’s job had fascinating scrap book illustrating aspects of life in Claxby taken her to Singapore and California. Fortunately there and Normanby. They were also substantially involved in were some exceptions to this flight from the village. At least organising several successful exhibitions in the 1960s and two daughters and some sons of local families have remained early 1970s which are described in the chapter Village in the village while working at demanding jobs and have Organisation, Housing and Services. seen their futures in the area

66 8 BIRTH SICKNESS AND DEATH

In 1900 death was very much part of life. Despite a insurance paid through unions and benefit clubs for some greater knowledge of the causes of many diseases and the working men but it did not apply to agriculture immediately introduction of vaccination against smallpox, life expectancy and excluded women, children and the unemployed. In in Lincolnshire and in particular in rural areas like Claxby addition reaching the doctor took time. When David had not improved significantly over the previous thirty years Woodforth suffered his serious accident near Holton le or so. Improvements in the death and sickness rates had Moor crossing he had to be taken to Market Rasen by a begun to be recorded nationally in the 1870s but this hid passing pony and trap. There was no telephone nor an wide variations between classes and regions and was most ambulance to administer first aid on the way. It probably noticeable among the better educated, better off urban took at least an hour to get him to the doctor. The cost of classes. Nearly two thirds of prospective servicemen medical care meant that the less well off managed without a examined at call up during the First World War were found doctor as far as possible. When circumstances forced them to be unfit for military service. Great improvements for to seek medical care they were sometimes unable to pay. In ordinary men, women and children were to be seen during 1911, the Market Rasen Mail reported that John Bedford a the twentieth century but before the First World War in labourer of Claxby had a debt of 8/6d owed to T Emmison places like Claxby little had changed. Poor living conditions surgeon of Scotter. In 1912 the debt had increased to 18/- and a poor diet were still common particularly among the and he was ordered to pay it off at a shilling a month. This labouring classes. Some aspects of nutrition are discussed in was a fairly regular occurrence. In 1914 Barton Jackson Park the chapter Life for Women. The Medical Officer of Health a Market Rasen surgeon claimed for a debt of 7/- owed by for Caistor RDC routinely criticised the state of housing, the Walter Gregory of Claxby. poor fresh water supply and the lack of fresh milk in the Most villages had a nurse. They were unlikely to be area. Claxby was one of a number of villages that had poor trained to any extent and were not infrequently a local housing in the Medical Report of 1906 and although much herbalist or midwife. Claxby had a nurse, Mrs Emma of the village had a fresh water supply, the cistern from Littledyke who died in 1932 aged 72. The Market Rasen which it ran still received water from a stream used by cattle Mail said that many Claxby homes benefited from her skill in 1939. In 1920 the Medical Officer was concerned about and motherly sympathy and that she made many friends. the lack of drinking water at the school. There was also George Surfleet and Dorothy Bristow also remember Miss considerable poverty in the village. Its income was derived Whitwell who acted as midwife and who lived on Caistor from agriculture which had suffered in the last years of the Road near the Low Road. This must have been in the 1930s nineteenth century and much of the early years of the or later, after Mrs Littledyke had died. Some villagers were twentieth century. The Market Rasen Mail reported on reluctant to use the local midwife or nurse but it wasn’t applications for exemption from the poor rate and Claxby always easy to persuade the doctor to attend. On one featured in these applications each year. In 1913 seven occasion Ernest Bristow, desperate to get medical care for his people were excused payment and the same number in wife who was in labour, went into Market Rasen four times 1915, 1916 and again in 1923. Application for exemption to ask the doctor to come. He had to walk or hitch a lift. was a serious business; the applicant had to approach the The doctor only arrived after the birth of the baby. overseer and gain the support of the Parish Council. It also Child birth was still risky. Although families were meant the withdrawal of the right to vote. One would generally large, many children died at birth and mortality therefore only attempt this if absolutely necessary. This is remained fairly high throughout early childhood. well illustrated by the case of one old man who applied on Nationally infant mortality was four times higher in 1900 the basis that he had a sick wife, his daughter staying at than it was fifty years later. The parish Burial Register home to care for her. He had a pension of 10/- and he records twelve deaths of infants and children under five years earned 4/- a week from odd jobs. This was as late as 1922 old between 1903 and 1918. The mother also was at risk. after the introduction of a limited old age pension scheme. In 1915, no doubt already worn out by the birth of her Claxby was no worse than other local villages all of whom twelve living children, Mrs John Richardson aged only 41 had parishioners exempted from the poor rate on a regular died after the birth of her child which itself died the basis. following day. In addition to the effect of poor living conditions there Death was not unknown among young people either. In was still little that could be done to fight the major diseases. 1906 Alven Richardson died aged 7, Frank Richardson in Diphtheria, typhoid, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, whooping 1918 aged 20. In 1926 Kathleen Dalton whose parents lived cough, measles and chicken pox were serious illnesses that in South View died aged 16 after brief illness, in 1932 Cyril could cause major debility and, in a significant number of Sharp aged only 8 died of pneumonia and was laid to rest cases, death. Tuberculosis was the major killer. It caused beside his grandmother and in 1939 Teresina Talbot died more deaths than most other illnesses combined. In when only 31. Several of these young people died of addition there was no penicillin to counteract infection in tuberculosis. wounds and access to medical care was limited by both cost Despite all these hazards many people did live to good and availability. The nearest doctor, as today, was in Market ages. The record for Claxby in the early twentieth century is Rasen but every visit had to be paid for. The National held by Mrs Mildred Canty, the wife of the schoolmaster Insurance Act of 1913 introduced some limited medical and a teacher herself who died at 99 in 1926.

67 Hospital care was available but only if you could pay. The the century but a number of people applied for exemption County Hospital at Lincoln took serious cases, the Market from the requirement. These were heard by the magistrates Rasen Cottage Hospital and Dispensary had four beds and and were not uncommon. In 1904 George Chambers a Caistor RDC ran the fever hospital. This was originally labourer from Claxby Moor asked for exemption from sited on the Gainsborough Road where the Ten Acres Cafe vaccination for his child who was ill. He was told he needed is today. In the 1920s a new hospital, built of wood, was a doctor’s certificate which no doubt involved him in erected between the Gainsborough Road and the Low Road. expense he could ill afford. Other immunisations were quite This took in patients from a wide area. Nora Maddison can slow to be introduced. Diphtheria began to be treated by remember her friend Gertie Dalton going there when she immunisation in the 1930s but it was only in 1941 that caught scarlet fever. Nora walked over to see her but could diphtheria immunisation was generally available locally and only wave to her through the window. This seemed to have the following year the local Medical Officer of Health been quite common. Kath Burrell remembers her father deplored the lack of take up. He was also unhappy that went to see Mrs Carter there when she had scarlet fever. He children were not taking the allocation of orange juice and caught the disease so perhaps he talked himself into the cod liver oil and proposed setting up local distribution hospital. points. Even as late as 1945 there was no immunisation for The Cottage Hospital seemed primarily to be a maternity tuberculosis. Cure required a long period in a sanatorium. unit although it also dealt with emergencies. On Boxing Prevention was centred on pasteurisation of milk first Day 1909 Miss Annie Maultby was chopping sticks and hit ordered in 1922 but not apparently carried out routinely in the toes on her left foot with the axe. She was so badly Lindsey where in 1943 the Medical Officer was instructing injured that she was taken to the Cottage Hospital where villagers to boil their milk if it was not pasteurised. Lindsey two toes were amputated. The County Hospital and the was also slow at testing its cattle for tuberculosis. Again in Cottage Hospital ran a subscription scheme. Each village 1943 the Rev Lee was complaining that there was a apparently had a quota, presumably based on population but tuberculin tested herd in Claxby but that milk went to the the hospitals also received donations from villages. Like towns. There were several herds in Claxby by this time. By other villages, Claxby together with Normanby le Wold had 1954 however, the selling of milk in open containers was a hospital association which paid a subscription to allow the effectively banned and with the universal use of pasteurised villagers to use the Cottage Hospital and the County milk in bottles the transfer of TB from cattle to humans Hospital. This may have started in 1924 as there is a minute virtually stopped. in the parish council records stating that the scheme was to With the introduction of the National Health Service be discussed at the next parish meeting. In 1931 the after 1946 things improved greatly for the poorer classes in association sent £17 17 6d but whether this was its quota for particular. It became easier for governments to introduce a year or for a quarter is not clear. In 1945 the village cleared health campaigns and target children, pregnant women and its debt to the County Hospital with a chapel collection and other priority groups. Most people were better looked after a whist drive which together raised £27 8 10d. Eight than they had ever been and it wasn’t until the explosion of patients had been treated in the previous year. In 1946 the new medical techniques and the sharply rising cost of the last reference to this scheme records that a total of £53 8 4d NHS in the last quarter of the century that people really had been sent to the County Hospital. The first mention of started to question the level and quality of care available. a donation to the Cottage Hospital was in 1908 when the The NHS didn’t solve all needs immediately. In 1956 the village gave the balance of the collection for its harvest home Claxby and Normanby WI decided to raise money for a supper to the hospital. In 1919 and 1926 the hospital’s mobile chiropody service for the elderly and collections annual report mentioned that it had treated Claxby patients continued to be made for other health related charitable although no details were given. The gifts continued at least organisations. The Royal National Institute for the Blind annually until it closed before the outbreak of the second and the Lindsey Institute for the Blind received regular World War, apparently because of the lack of a qualified donations from the village. Miss Gladys Bristow planned midwife permanently in attendance. There was surprisingly whist drives and other events for many years for these two little resistance from the local population. organisations. Although such schemes must have given some insurance Death was close to everyone in the early part of the they weren’t always the complete answer. Even a fairly well century and dealing with it was very much a village concern. to do craftsman like Fred Sharp the village wheelwright As in most villages the local wheelwright or carpenter also needed the help of his friends when he had an accident in acted as undertaker. In Claxby this function was carried out 1909. They raised £4 15s 6d as a contribution towards his by the Sharp family. In 1900 Fred Sharp was the losses. wheelwright, carpenter and undertaker. The first big funeral Poor families suffered real hardship before the National reported in the Mail was that of Canon Andrews in 1905. Health Service. In 1945 Rev Lee wrote a trenchant letter to Fred would have made the coffin, of panelled unpolished the Rasen Mail. Included was the complaint that a widow oak, organised the bearers, six parishioners, and any with four children under 10 years old rushed her boy into transport required. He had a pony but as far as is known no Grimsby hospital with a fractured skull. The hospital sent elaborate hearse such as is seen in photographs of Victorian her a bill for £8 for a week and £1.15s for a return journey funerals. Since most people who died in the village would of the ambulance. have been buried here a simple flat bed wagon would have Smallpox vaccination was already standard at the turn of been sufficient when it was too far to carry the coffin from

68 the house to the church. Everyone in the village would have needed. He used local men as bearers, preferring not to use known when someone died. If he or she were a churchgoer inexperienced friends of the deceased. By 1990 he decided the bell would have tolled, the saws, hand saws initially and that he could no longer do the work on a part time basis and electric saws later would have been heard making the coffin, closed down. Now people in the village look to undertakers and friends and colleagues of the dead person may have been in Market Rasen, Caistor or further afield, the coffins are invited to act as pall bearers. Pam Whitwell who was a child already in stock and professional pall bearers carry the coffin in the village in the 1950s remembers feeling a shiver when and, very differently from the practise in the early part of the she heard the saws running after a death. The wheelwright twentieth century, many of us are cremated and the ashes business declined with the advent of mechanisation on the scattered. farms, but the family business carried on until 1972 and The second half of the twentieth century saw amazing Michael Sharp, Fred’s grandson continued to organise gains in the health of villagers. It is now rare for babies to funerals until the early 1990s. His mother used to lay out die and equally rare for mothers to die at childbirth. the bodies when his father, Cyril, had the business as no Virtually all the childhood diseases have been, if not doubt Fred’s wife had before her. Ruth Sharp was described eradicated, at least reduced in virulence. Epidemics do still as being wonderful with the bereaved, giving comfort and occur but few children die. Our homes are bigger, better practical help. Cyril Sharp had a coffin trailer which could heated, with mains water and sewage and we know much be hooked behind his car. It was a black two wheeler with more about nutrition. Nationally the bulk of these gains decoration. were made in the 1920s and 1930s but in rural villages like Michael took over in 1959 on his father’s early death. He Claxby the improvements came 20 or 30 years later. The carried out all the jobs from making the coffin to preparing major killers of the past, tuberculosis, typhoid, bronchitis etc the body and organising the funeral service and burial or have been controlled. The new killers. heart disease, cancers cremation. He covered most of the local villages, hiring a etc are at least partly due to our improved economic hearse as necessary as he only did about twelve funerals a condition. When we die however we can no longer look to year. It was then still usual for bodies to be laid out at home a village undertaker to see us off. but Michael used a Chapel of Rest in Market Rasen when

9 RELIGION

At the turn of the century, Claxby had three places of active. There were reports in the Market Rasen Mail of his worship, St Mary’s Church, the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel attendance at the petty sessions and he entertained the then at the junction of Pelham Road and St Mary’s Lane and Market Rasen Girls Friendly Society at the Rectory He also the Primitive Methodist Chapel partway up the hill. All gave parties for his choirmen, and bellringers and for the seem to have attracted reasonable congregations and all choirboys and girls at Christmas. He had the help of at least played a considerable part in the life of the village. one curate, in 1900 it was the Reverend Hormeyer, and St Mary’s was by far the oldest church in the village and possibly two and there were reports that he had three. In had been through a series of ups and downs but had faired January 1902 Rev Dix, curate, proposed the health of the well under the then incumbent the Reverend Canon Samuel Rector at the annual Christmas party for the choirmen and Wright Andrews. In 1900 Claxby was regarded as a ‘centre in September 1902 the Market Rasen Mail reported that of power and prestige in the Anglican Church such as Reverend E North-Cox, curate of Normanby had been scarcely exist today’. Canon Andrews had been the Rector appointed Rector of a living in Monmouthshire. since 1869 and curate for some years before that and had led The church exercised considerable control over the and substantially paid for the repair and reconstruction of school. The Rector or more often a curate attended regularly the church in the 1870s. He was also the Rector of St to hear the children in their catechism and a Diocesan Peter’s, Normanby le Wold. The livings had been joined Inspector reviewed the religious education at the school since 1740 and this may have been a factor in the close annually. relationship between the two parishes. The combined living There were no reports of fund raising events in the Mail was very comfortable, one of the best in the area and he lived for the church at this time. Perhaps Canon Andrews was in considerable affluence in the twenty two roomed Rectory sufficiently wealthy to underwrite the church expenses. The set in thirty acres of parkland with a housekeeper, cook, church should have been in good order as it had been parlourmaid, housemaid, coachman, groom and garden boy. completely restored only twenty or thirty years before. He was also an important man in the district; a JP and The Methodists at this time were very strong in the area. chairman of the bench in Market Rasen, Chairman of the In many of the surrounding villages there was a boom in Managers of the Market Rasen Cottage Hospital, President chapel building, supported by packed congregations. of the Choral Society and of the Market Rasen Branch of the Claxby had had two chapels for many years and both were Diocesan Guild of Bellringers and a member of the Caistor well supported. From 1900 the Mail reports on fund raising Board of Guardians. He visited his parishioners on on a regular basis for both communities. The Methodists, horseback wearing a top hat and long morning coat but part of the Market Rasen circuit, didn’t have a minister living travelled to Market Rasen and beyond in his carriage and in the village but had several active lay people who seemed pair. In 1900 he was 75 years old yet still seemed to be very to organise the life of their chapel. For the Wesleyans these

69 included Mr Shepherd, and in particular Mr Hewitt who until 1914, when he left the village, gave annual Christmas and New Year parties for forty or so members of the Sunday School, teachers and friends. He was apparently well regarded in the village. He was approached in 1903 when Ethel Lill the illegitimate child of Lucy Storr ran away from her mother who was beating her. The child was taken to Mr Hewitt’s home and he went to see the mother. The Wesleyans were enthusiastic and confident enough in 1904 to begin to build a new chapel to seat 100 and a schoolroom to seat an additional 60. This in a village of 237, although Normanby at this time had a population of 128 and no active chapel. The land was given by the Yarborough Estate and some of the fund raising was based on sponsoring the stones and bricks used in the building. In October 1904 they had a grand stonelaying ceremony, the The New Wesleyan Chapel first laid by Mrs Hewitt and another by Willie Jarvill on behalf of Mr and Mrs Wilson. Forty two named people laid century. Although the chapel was quite small it apparently bricks. This included seven Hewitts and several Bristows. had a raked floor to enable everyone to see well. Sponsorship of the stones and bricks, collections, The church and the two chapels all celebrated Harvest subscriptions and the proceeds of a coffee supper raised £80 Festival each year. They were elaborate occasions and all 4s 4d. On 4th February 1905 the Market Rasen Mail decorated their places of worship. The church had a service reported the opening of the chapel. ‘Standing on a slight on the Friday followed by one on the Sunday. The Primitive eminence with the fine background of lofty hills and facing Methodists also spread the celebrations over two days and the main road the chapel is built in the gothic style, with a had different preachers for each service. They sold the fruit good vestry, kitchen and heating chamber’. The building and vegetables and had a coffee supper. The Wesleyans also contract was for £475. The opening ceremonies were led by followed their services with the sale of the fruit and the Rev Hornabrook from Manchester and R W Perks the vegetables and a coffee supper. These were faithfully local MP and lasted all day. The following month the recorded in the Mail for years. In 1908 the Market Rasen concluding services of the opening celebrations were held Mail reported ‘Harvest Homes are nearly obsolete but over the Sunday and Monday. Shrubs were planted and tea parishioners in Claxby were determined to revive an ancient preceded the evening meeting. Nearly £7 was raised on that and homely custom. The idea originated with the labourers occasion. In October of the same year the chapel was the themselves. Rev Andrews, H Wildsmith, Mr Maultby, Mr venue of the wedding of Miss A A Hewitt. This is the only Hewitt and Mr J Jarvill formed a committee and petitioned marriage recorded as being held in this chapel. subscriptions. £7 4s 6d was collected and it was decided to The debt of £500 was cleared within three years and the have a meat supper. On Wednesday evening in the commitment this implies was confirmed by a report in the schoolroom beef, ham and other good things were provided Mail of the Sunday School Anniversary when the and the people and children enjoyed themselves. After correspondent said ‘considering the sparseness of the supper the men were regaled with tobacco and the children population of the district it was a matter of much interest to sweets. The surplus of £1 was given to Market Rasen friends to discover the vastness of the attendance and the Cottage Hospital’. It appears that the three different enthusiasm manifested.’ The report congratulated Mr churches and chapels worked together. There is no Shepherd, who ‘for nearly a lifetime has been identified with indication in any of the records that there was any this service’, for the musical arrangements, and Mr Hewitt antagonism between them. This was demonstrated again in ‘to whose warm hearted activity for nearly fifty years the 1918 when the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of the war general success of the school and the church are mostly due’ was commemorated by a united intercession service. The Wesleyans used their chapel and school room for a Anglicans, Methodists and non churchgoers filled the variety of activities. In 1907 the missionary society held a church. The service was led by the Rector and the lantern lecture on Personal Experiences in Western Africa Superintendent Minister of the Wesleyan circuit preached. and later the same year the Reverend Casswell of Thornton Some people living in the village between the two world le Moor gave a ‘vivid description of the land and customs of wars said that church people tended to look down on chapel Palestine’. folk and the big children teased the little ones but it didn’t The Primitive Methodists were also active at the time. In seem to have been anything serious. 1901 they were raising funds to bring the teachers and The Methodist chapels seemed to keep in close contact scholars of the Market Rasen Primitive Methodist Chapel to with the other chapels in their circuit. In 1909 the Caistor Claxby. They returned the following year when Mr Coulson Wesleyan Choir gave a concert at Claxby, the proceeds of was the conductor and Mrs Mainprize played the which were destined for the new organ. Further fund- harmonium. Nora Maddison’s grandfather, Charles Edward raising included a musical service followed by yet another Saunby, was a strong supporter of the Primitive Methodist coffee supper. In 1934 the Wesleyan Chapel congregation Chapel and was involved with it by the beginning of the hosted a successful Guild rally when guilds from a wide area

70 met at the chapel. Supper was provided for nearly 200 eleven parishioners and in 1916 when the Rector was 80 people. years old the family threw open the grounds of the Rectory The two Methodist groups organised outings each year, for a garden party for the Star and Garter fund. This was an but it seems that the church outing lapsed for some years. elaborate occasion with the band of the 4th Manchester These days out usually meant a poor attendance at school. Regiment playing on the lawn and a tennis tournament on Cleethorpes and Mablethorpe were the most favoured the courts of the Rectory and Claxby House. destinations and the organisers provided transport and a In 1917 the Reverend Nicholas Lee was inducted into the meal. Most of the older residents of the village remember living and like his predecessor was to serve the twin parishes theses outings. In the early days they were by charabanc for twelve years. He was a relatively unusual man to have which sometimes struggled to reach the top of the hills and obtained the living. He had been born into comfort but the everyone had to get out and walk. Later they used Bristows family had been reduced to relative poverty by the early coaches and occasionally the train death of his father. He had bought a newspaper round as a Not long after the First World War the Wesleyan and boy and worked in a forge as a young man. He had become Primitive Methodists began to work more closely together. the local correspondent for the Yorkshire Post before going In Claxby this culminated in a decision to close the Primitive to Bradford as a pupil teacher where he had become a county Methodist Chapel. It was sold in 1924 to the Women’s councillor and rural district councillor. Like the Reverend Institute. There had been comments in the local press about Andrews he also continued to host the Christmas or New falling numbers in the chapels so one must assume this was Year parties for the Sunday school scholars, choir and friends a sensible reaction to the problem of maintaining two of the church and led a campaign to raise money for the chapels in the face of smaller congregations and therefore church restoration. He appeared to have been an active lower incomes. This is not to suggest that they were leader. During one of the whist drives he ran in 1921 the moribund. Well within the memory of people still living in church choir entertained with glee singing in the interval the village the chapel was still a lively and active centre with and later there was dancing into the early hours. Reverend two services each Sunday and of course Sunday School. Lee was the instigator of evening classes for those over St Mary’s saw the end of an era when Canon Andrews fourteen. He organised a sacred concert to raise the died in March 1905. He was 80 years old and had been necessary funds to begin two classes in 1922. His wife was Rector for thirty six years and curate for several years before also active. There are regular mentions of her involvement that but it seemed to have been something of a surprise to with various activities in the village. She may have been everyone. He had been out riding the day before and had concerned with the reintroduction of the church Sunday also attended a concert in the evening. His funeral was school outings which were restarted after a lapse of many lavish but homely in a way we don’t often see today. Holy years in 1925. The first was to Mablethorpe by motor bus. Communion was celebrated at 8.30. The coffin of In 1928 Reverend Lee already in poor heath, was in a unpolished panelled oak, made by Fred Sharp in the village, serious car accident and never really recovered. He died in was carried by six parishioners. The fully choral service was October and the obituary, unusually for the time was rather led by the vicar of Caistor and the lessons read by a former candid. Apparently he was outspoken and liked his own way curate of Claxby. The procession then moved to the but was popular and much respected. graveyard, rather charmingly described as carpeted in St Mary’s was without a Rector for only a short time. In snowdrops, for the internment. It was all organised by Fred May 1929 Rev Tyack was inducted and the life of the church Sharp, the village wheelwright, carpenter and undertaker. continued. A year after the Rev Lee’s death Rev Tyack held Canon Andrews was succeeded by his brother, William, a requiem mass and the bellringers rang a muffled peal The the gift of the living being in his family. He seemed to have church was evidently rather ‘higher’ than it is today. The carried on with the traditions much as his brother had done. Rasen Mail gave a full description of the New Year peal rung On New Year’s Eve 1906 he entertained the bell ringers at in the church to welcome 1930. Firstly there was a half the Rectory and at 1130 p.m. they rang a half muffled peal muffled peal of Bob Doubles. At midnight the Tenor Bell until midnight then ushered in the New Year with a peal of rang twelve times followed by a full unmuffled peal of Bob Grandsire Doubles. Claxby appeared to have had a tradition Doubles. No-one could have been in any doubt about the of bellringing which lasted well into the second half of the time! Sadly this was the last time the Rev Tyack heard the century, many sons following their fathers into the bell peal. He died aged 72 at the end of January 1930 in the chamber. In Michael Sharp’s case he was in the bell chamber vestry preparing for the service. There was little delay in when his grandfather Fred Sharp died immediately after finding a replacement. The Rev F T Smith was inducted in ringing for evensong. Both Michael and his father were July. He must have made a good impression when in bellringers. The bells were not always safe to ring. In 1926 February he provided the churchworkers from both Claxby a muffled peal was rung to mark the death of one of the and Normanby with an outing to Grimsby by Bristows bellringers, Mr Littledike, nearly two years earlier. The bells coach. They all had lunch at the Pestle and Mortar and then had not been in a state to permit the ring on the day of his went to see Cinders at the Prince of Wales Theatre. In 1931 death it was decided that the churchyard must be enlarged. It had Reverend William Andrews had a wife and family and last been extended in 1879 and was by this time nearly full. they took their part in the life of the village as did their This was the only burial ground in the parish so must have successors over the years. In May 1907 Dorothy Andrews been used by all the village. The burial register notes that organised a very successful entertainment helped by at least Methodist ministers occasionally conducted the funeral

71 service. The Rector offered a portion of the adjacent glebe refusing to pay his rates of £30 because rural areas were sadly land and plans were made to raise the money. It is not neglected. He didn’t expect water, sanitation or street surprising to those of us involved in church affairs to lighting but children aged under eleven walked to and from discover that it took ten years or more to complete the school from Normanby on nothing but a sandwich and process. Through all this time the records show that a group powdered milk. There was a tuberculin tested herd in of faithful servants occupied the positions of churchwarden, Claxby but the milk went to the towns. He also felt strongly secretary and treasurer. W C Bristow, Mr Wildsmith, Mr about a working man’s wife who had to attend Lincoln Dalton Mr Drakes are names frequently mentioned. Miss Hospital and he also knew of a soldier’s widow charged a Bristow, F Sharp, E Sharp, Mrs Hewson, who was the considerable sum for going to Grimsby Hospital organist for more than fifty years, and Mrs F Maultby were By 1946 Rev Lee announced that had decided to move to often mentioned as members of the PCC. The church was Normanby Dales where Lord Yarborough had lent him a among the very first establishments to have electricity woodsman’s cottage. He planned to move around on installed. In 1937 it reported that the accounts were £3 in horseback and had rented a little farm cottage in Claxby in deficit after paying for the work involved. The following case of weather difficulties. He rented the Rectory to year Mrs Smith, the Rector’s wife was killed in a car accident. Corinne Brant’s parents. She remembers him living at the The Rector and Miss Howard, Mrs Smith’s sister, were gardener’s cottage at the Rectory for some time. Alice thrown out of the car but not seriously hurt. The church Nickson remembers him living at Normanby Dales. She was not big enough to hold those who wished to attend Mrs and her friends were invited to meet students that Rev Lee Smith’s funeral. The Rev Smith finally left Claxby in 1944. had living there. Later in the same year he let it be known He sold much of his furniture but the most attractive lot was that he was to be the chaplain director of the British his lawnmower which made £46. Seamen’s organisation in Rosario South America. He added He was replaced by the Rev Austin Lee who was the son that the Church of England was dying because it was ‘timid of a previous incumbent Nicholas Lee. Rev A Lee had and lukewarm’. Even the Bishops were ‘timid little men already had an interesting career. For a start in 1921 as a frightened of offending government’. He also said that in schoolboy he was found guilty of riding his bicycle without Claxby a parson was cut off from any real spiritual life. This lights at Osgodby. He went to De Aston school where in latter may well have been true but it hardly endeared him to 1922 he passed the examination to enter Trinity College, his parishioners. However Eileen Wilmot who lived in Cambridge. He first appeared in print locally in 1925 when Claxby as a young woman remembers he had a reputation as the Rasen Mail published his poem ‘A Nonconformist a great preacher and usually filled the church. He was also fantasy’. He took orders in 1929 and shortly after wrote an quite likely to have his wellington boots on under his robes article pointing out that curates were neither sub normal nor ready for a quick getaway to the Gordon Arms on his motor supernormal. By 1932 he was chaplain to the bicycle. In addition to the post in Brazil he had also been Mediterranean destroyer fleet and was denying allegations of offered a London living. He took neither of them because communism and socialism. He obviously convinced the in 1948 he was still in Claxby and a candidate in a proctorial Admiralty of his suitability for service with the Navy because by election, a post he thought honorary and honourable but in 1933 he visited Claxby where he preached a sermon not useful. Somewhere in his career he had apparently taken before sailing on HMS Cumberland for China. By this time an interest in cookery. He gave a talk to the WI on Ancient he had already written for the Sunday and popular papers as and Modern Cookery. Later the same year this unusual well as for more serious reviews. Why did a man of his incumbency came to an end when he exchanged livings with sophistication, remember Countess Pahlavi the Russian the Rev Lancelot B Z Davies. He allegedly said ‘you may beauty whom he entertained at the Rectory in his father’s have had criticisms of me but just wait until you get the next time, and ‘advanced views’ choose to come to Claxby and man’. Rev Lee was certainly an unusual man, obviously Normanby? The living was in the gift of his family and he gifted but eccentric. Villagers who lived in Claxby in the certainly didn’t have to obtain the agreement of the local 1940s have many stories to tell about him. congregations. Although the living had been a very good Rev Lee’s predictions proved all too accurate. If the one he soon went into print saying how difficult it was to village had hoped for a period of quiet they were to be live on the stipend. He also said he was offering the Rectory disappointed. Less than three months after his induction to demobbed soldiers who wanted to take up farming as a the Rev Davies had been served by officers from Scotland career. He would live in the gardener’s cottage. Yard with a summons alleging that he had been guilty of He was very politically aware. He offered special irregularities in the issue of marriage lines. At evensong the intercessions for ELAS, the left wing faction in the Greek following Sunday he had a congregation of six including civil war, and the people of Greece and urged Col Heneage three women and two reporters. He was found guilty at the MP to oppose the Government’s ‘disastrous’ policy for Old Bailey with obtaining fees by false pretences and with Greece. In 1945 he was fulminating against the making false entries in a marriage register. By the standards Establishment on a different matter. He had been invited to of today he had not done anything so very terrible because become the Independent candidate for Cambridge the understanding of those who remembered the incident University but had discovered that under an act of 1801 he was that he had married divorced people in church. It was would be subject to a fine of £500 a day if he took up the regarded very seriously at the time. Less than six months seat. He pointed out that Bishops sat in the House of Lords after he had arrived in Claxby he was forbidden to take with impunity. Later in the year he announced that he was services for two years and could only return under certain

72 conditions. The parochial church council of the time must was a farmworker and roadworker and had been a local have been in turmoil. One of the churchwardens did not preacher all his life. This was very much within the appear at the meeting and W C Bristow agreed to take the traditions of Methodism in which virtually self taught men post of Rector’s churchwarden, Rufus Drakes being elected and women devoted their life outside work to spreading the as People’s warden. By September 1949 the Rectory was word of the Lord. The Wesleyans were showing confidence closed. at this time. They carried out the renovation of the chapel Rev Lee wasn’t very happy either. He wrote in his parish and installed new electric heating and new lighting and there magazine that the Hounslow church had to be kept locked. were regular reports of anniversaries and meetings for home In Claxby and Normanby, he added, the keys were either lost missions. Despite this it appears that the size of the or had been melted down for Waterloo cannons. He congregation was diminishing. At some point the number continued his extraordinary career, leaving the church, of services had been reduced and in 1965 Claxby Chapel living in Eire as a lay worker for the Roman Catholic announced that it was to suspend services. Apparently by Church, writing screenplays and detective stories. He finally that time there was only one service a month and only three returned to the church in Grantham, died in 1965 and his or four people in the congregation. In 1968 came the final ashes were interred in the family grave in Claxby decision to close. There were seven members, only one from churchyard. Claxby. Mrs Maultby of Usselby who could remember the Sadly for Rev Davies but perhaps luckily for Claxby he building of the new chapel 60 years before said that numbers died soon after he left the village and a new Rector could be started to fall when horses were no longer used on the farms appointed. In the interregnum and perhaps in an effort to and the number of young men consequently fell. The bring the congregation and even the village together, the population of Claxby fell to its lowest since the census began Bishop of Lincoln and Col Heneage attended a dedication in 1971 when only 145 residents were recorded. service for the War Memorial which unusually Wesleyanism in Claxby had lasted for over 132 years. commemorates both those who died in, and gives thanks for In 1965 a new chapter began in the life of St Mary’s when those who returned safely from, the Second World War. The the Rev Harry Gill Webber was inducted as Rector of a PCC took advantage of the Bishop’s presence to request that group of eight parishes. The same problems were afflicting they were consulted before a new appointment. They the church as had caused the chapel to close. The Church pointed out that they were not consulted before the last two! chose a different solution. Although Rev Webber was to live There is no record that any consultation took place but in Claxby he would have much less time to spend in the two the next appointment seems to have been a happy one. The linked parishes than had his predecessors. He was very Rev McLeod proved to be a successful Rector and by active and within a few months had instigated activities September 1950 the churchwarden pronounced that which were shared between the eight parishes. The great collections since the arrival of the new Rector were twice innovation was the purchase of a bus in 1966 to carry those of any similar period in the past twenty five years. Sunday school children to their nearest Sunday school. Reports also indicated that congregations increased at this Sadly it cost too much to maintain and had to be sold within time and that the Rector re-introduced some traditions two years. The Claxby group was one of the earliest and was which had been lost. For instance on Rogation day 1951 the certainly one of the biggest so Rev Gill Webber was people processed through the park saying the Litany. Prayers pioneering the development of this approach. It appeared were offered and a hymn sung before they returned to the that his efforts were not resulting in increases in the church to complete the service. In 1954 he preached to the congregation. There are regular reports of Rev Webber largest congregation seen for years on the occasion of the encouraging a deeper involvement in the church. The Armistice day service. Apparently he didn’t have a car and church stalwarts were continuing to keep the church in walked between Claxby and Normanby to conduct the order. They were engaged in raising £650 to improve the services. He was less successful at the school as far as the heating in the late 1960s. In 1970 Rev Smith took over the pupils were concerned. They found him frightening. incumbency. Fund raising went ahead for a new altar frontal at Claxby In 1974 the grouping of the churches was altered and and the installation of electric light in Normanby. Most Claxby became part of the Walesby Group, still eight importantly the Rev McLeod led the effort to restore the parishes but with the incumbent living in Walesby. This was church tower. Sadly he retired after only five years and was a significant change because although the Rev Smith had the succeeded by a Priest in charge, the Rev Holehouse. The care of eight parishes he still lived in Claxby and could be Rev McLeod died in 1968 and there is a plaque in the regarded as the Claxby priest. He was immediately at hand church commemorating his incumbency. in an emergency. Like the loss of the school in 1971, the loss Through all the tribulations of the parish church the of the Rector diminished the village. Despite the best efforts Methodists continued with rather less disturbance. Despite of the Rector, the officers and members of the church a report that the Sunday School closed in 1947, in 1953 the council it became increasingly difficult to maintain the Mail recorded a successful Sunday School Anniversary fabric of the church. They were offered a life line in 1983 taking place over two days. The children performed a play when Gladys Bristow left the church a legacy. Without it the on the life of John Wesley. In 1959 the Sunday School church might well have closed. By the end of the century, reopened and in December the scholars presented a nativity the church, while still a landmark was not significant in the play. In 1960 one of the old style of Methodist preachers, life of most people in the village. The current group of Charles Henry Chapman of the Terrace, died aged 77. He stalwarts who have attended and maintained it are unlikely

73 to be able to continue to do so for many more years. Like Parishioners may not find it available for weddings, funerals the railway in the 1960s it is a case of use it or lose it. or baptisms far into the new century.

RECTORS OF CLAXBY AND NORMANBY LE WOLD

1794 Richard Dixon LLB 1948 L Bernard Z Davies 1819 Thomas Wilby MA 1950 Ernest Erskine McLeod 1820 Richard Atkinson 1955 Ernest H Holehouse - priest in charge 1869 Samuel Wright Andrews 1965 Harry Gill Webber -group of eight parishes 1905 William Andrews 1970 David Earling Smith 1917 Joseph Nicholas Lee BA 1974 F Michael Massey - lived at Walesby Rectory 1929 George Smith Tyack 1990 Gervase Babbington 1930 Francis Thomas Smith 1996 Brian M Dodds 1944 Austin Lee MA

10 LAW AND ORDER

Even at the start of the twentieth century there was no and fined 20/-. Frederick Brown apparently made a village bobby in Claxby. The nearest one was probably in recovery, whether complete or not is not recorded. Holton le Moor and he would walk or cycle to Claxby either In a village where everyone knew everyone else many of in response to a request or on a routine patrol. Claxby had the misdemeanours, particularly among the young would a parish constable, a responsible local man who was sworn have been dealt with summarily either by the constable or by into the post each year by the magistrates in Market Rasen. the parents. Even as late as the 1950s people in the village Claxby had one or more special constables until 1930 when remember being scared of the constable and a telling off they were finally abolished at the Lindsey Quarter Sessions. from him would not have been taken lightly. The early Why there were only one or two in some years and as many 1900s were much more authoritarian and most children as nine or ten in others is not clear. Their names were the would have heeded any adult in the village. There were no familiar leaders of the village. Fred Sharp and George Sharpe juvenile courts in the early years of the century but there were constables from 1901 to 1910 when they were joined were a few occasions where children were brought to court. by H Wildsmith and G F Jarvill. At other times WC Most cases however were against adults and fell into such Bristow, William Ogg, John Wildsmith, H Maultby filled categories as riding a bicycle without lights, letting animals the posts. In 1962 W C Bristow, interviewed by the Market stray, keeping dogs without a licence, using a gun without a Rasen Mail on the occasion of the award of a fourth bar to licence and setting unauthorised traps. Aside from the first his service medal as first a parish and then a special constable they seem to have been peculiarly rural offences. Many men said he was passed the village handcuffs and the village appeared to have had a gun. They used them to shoot rooks, truncheon by his father but he had never had cause to use pigeons, rabbits and probably pheasants when they could. them. He had never made an arrest although his father had. Rabbits were also snared and in some cases run down by Parish constables only had jurisdiction within the parish dogs. However taking rabbits on someone else’s property boundaries but there they had the same rights as a full time without permission was greatly objected to by the land law officer. owner and there were a number of reports of respectable Most problems the parish constables were called to deal men in the village being found guilty of poaching rabbits. with would no doubt have been of a fairly trivial nature, but Of the many cases reported the most interesting was in 1949 the Market Rasen magistrates were kept fairly busy with when Samuel Cade, a smallholder and rabbit catcher and cases brought from surrounding villages. Typical of these Benjamin Smith were apparently caught catching rabbits by was a case in 1900 when John Bradford of Claxby together dazzling them at night and sending a dog after them. The with four other men, all farm servants was found guilty of defence included comments such as, ‘it was only one little throwing stones to injure property. They were each fined 1/- rabbit’ and ‘the dog was a family pet and ran away because and costs. In the same year Sam Cheffeys pleaded guilty to of the hullabaloo’. Despite this they were fined £4 each with using obscene language to the Claxby stationmaster. This costs. It must be remembered that this was not unusual. was a costly error. He was fined 2/6d with 6/6d costs and Rabbits were a menace. Until the arrival of myxamatosis 15/- witness expenses. More serious cases were dealt with by rabbits were around in their thousands and seriously the regular police. Inspector Holmes of Market Rasen damaged crops but they were also a source of income for charged the assailant in the following case. In March 1900 either the farmer or for whoever he permitted to shoot over Frederick Brown and John were threshing at his land. Therefore for the less well off in the village rabbits Normanby. According to the report in the Market Rasen represented a welcome albeit illicit source of meat and a Mail there had been ‘wordy warfare all morning and high number of villagers living in Claxby before and after the words at dinner’ At this stage Swaby struck Brown with a Second World War relied heavily on protein from poached pitchfork which entered his brain. Swaby was tried at the rabbits. In addition a guilty verdict seemed to have had no Lincoln Quarter Sessions, found guilty of common assault real effect on the standing of the person in the village. It

74 may well have enhanced it. Certainly when Sam Cade died tell her story in a crowded court. he was remembered as a generous man, a good tennis player In addition to dealing with the constabulary, neighbours and a good shot. had to deal with each other, often with unfortunate results. Guns had to be licensed and this too was the cause of a In 1921 Florence Hudson pleaded not guilty to the common court appearance for many careless villager. In 1915 Fred assault of Mary Ann Crane. She was bound over for twelve Sharp was found guilty of carrying a gun without a licence months in the sum of £5 and costs. The same Florence and Mary Ogg the witness said ‘he should have an Iron Hudson sued Elizabeth Neville for common assault. Neville Cross’. She obviously felt strongly. He was a Parish filed a cross summons but was still fined 20/- and bound Constable at the time. There didn’t seem to be any concerns over for twelve months on £5. Apparently Neville struck about who was fit to hold a licence. In some cases the law Hudson and tried to pull her out of the house. They both officer who issued the summons issued a licence for the gun lived in the Terrace. In 1934 Louise Birks also of the Terrace as well. In 1941 Joseph Russell of Claxby was fined 10/- for was charged with stealing 2/6d from Violet Robinson of having a gun without a licence. He had been asked by a Claxby. The evidence was conflicting so the case was Tealby farmer to shoot a hawk. A licence was issued dismissed but the argument must have reached a pretty pitch immediately after the offence was committed. to result in a court appearance. Louise Birks returned to It seems extraordinary looking back over the century at court in 1935 to allege assault against Maud Smith. There the vigour with which the dog control laws were enforced. were no witnesses and the case was dismissed, the magistrate Every dog had to be licensed annually with the exception of remarking that some of the neighbours at the Terrace were certain working dogs which were granted yearly exemptions. very quarrelsome and on another occasion a magistrate Every year even the most well to do farmers were routinely having resolved another dispute between two residents of the found guilty and fined for failing to gain exemptions. In Terrace refused to award costs because they would argue over 1908 Frank Maultby was even charged with having in his that too. There was also a row about a dog which reached possession a stray dog without informing the police or the courts. Of course the residents of the Terrace lived very returning it to its owner. Perhaps it was a very good close together and had to share only one tap. It no doubt sheepdog. In 1923 Fred Baxter was reported by his own encouraged feuds. master for not having the correct name and address on his Prosecutions for motoring and other minor offences dog’s collar. continued to the end of the century but the village doesn’t The Market Rasen Mail occasionally reported and with seem to have harboured, at least knowingly, any major some relish more ‘interesting cases.’ In April 1907 George criminal. Feuds between neighbours reached the courts Todd of Claxby was charged with indecently assaulting Rose much less often than earlier in the century. Waley age 15 of Usselby. Fred Surfleet was a witness. The In the 1950s the constable was based in Osgodby and story was reported at some length and suggested that later he was withdrawn and increasingly the village was horseplay of the rougher sort had got out of hand. The policed by mobile patrols. The tradition of special charge was reduced to common assault, the defendant constables continued with first John Bristow and later Brain pleaded guilty and was fined £1 with 9/- costs. Rose had to Hunter still active in the role at the end of the century.

11 POLITICS

At the beginning of the century the franchise was still rather more applications were made by the Liberals than by limited to men and only if they satisfied certain conditions. the Conservatives. Whether this indicated a higher Farmworkers and servants who moved annually were proportion of Liberals or a more active agent is not clear. In unlikely to be registered to vote. Women over thirty were 1910 the Unionist won the seat after four successive Liberal not to obtain the vote until 1918, those over twenty one not victories. A few days before the election Mr Davies, the new until 1928. This meant that the number of voters was low Liberal candidate attended a meeting at Claxby. The Market and any addition or deletion from the list of electors could Rasen Mail recorded that it was exceptionally well attended have a significant impact on the outcome of an election. and that the candidate was accorded a splendid reception. Each party therefore fought hard to have their own voters Mr Ringrose, Mr Hewitt and Mr Ogg were prominent at the added to the list and those of their opponents removed. In meeting. Later in the same year the Liberals managed to add 1903 an application was made to remove from the list of four lodgers to the voters’ list and the Conservatives only electors a man from Claxby because he was receiving poor one. rate relief. In 1908 the Conservatives claimed for one Joseph Politics caused great interest at all levels of society and Barton to be put on the list of occupiers in Claxby but the without the aid of cinema, radio or television the only way Liberals objected because he wasn’t a tenant. Barton showed for a candidate to be heard was to tour his constituency his tenancy agreement with Lord Yarborough and the speaking at as many meetings as possible. This produced a revising barrister criticised the overseer saying that he must much more personal and local approach compared with the be impartial. Clearly it was very important for the system end of the century and brought the local member much for registering or delisting voters to be adhered to strictly closer to his constituents. Specific issues also generated This fighting to adjust the voters’ list was a regular meetings although these were not always well attended. In occurrence and on the evidence of the Market Rasen Mail, 1913 a meeting on Tariff Reform in the Claxby schoolroom,

75 called by the Market Rasen Unionist Workers League testament to the interest being taken in politics at the time. attracted only a meagre attendance, possibly the Mail The following month ‘despite poor weather’ 70 people postulated, because the good weather induced people into listened to Mr Woodger deal with the political situation their gardens. The League was more successful the following before enjoying a musical evening. year when a large audience was addressed by Mr Kell of The local Conservatives were trying to fight back by this Nettleton Mine on the Home Rule Bill and Insurance Act. time and in March they held a social and whist drive for the Mr Byron was in the chair and with him on the platform Conservative association where 5 new members were were Captain A Tennyson D’Eyncourt, Mr Francis and Mr enrolled and at the end of the year they held another Drakes. whistdrive for Louth Conservative Association funds. In 1921, by which time women over the age of thirty The Rasen Mail has no further reports of any organised were enfranchised, the Liberals had regained the Louth seat political activity in Claxby. The papers relating to the and with a notable candidate. Mrs Tom , the Liberal Association have not been deposited with any first British woman returned to the House of Commons, was archive. It is intriguing to wonder whether the local welcomed with great enthusiasm at the Market Rasen associations simply withered away or whether the local Liberal Institute. She was returned again in the election of correspondent for the Market Rasen Mail stopped reporting the following year. In 1923 in anticipation of yet another on the meetings. There were a few more references to election Mrs Winteringham, accompanied by Captain political feelings in the village. The first was the report in Wedgewood Benn MP DSO and two others attended a the Mail of April 1946 when the Rev Austin Lee was the meeting at Claxby schoolroom and was presented with a only candidate describing himself as a labour supporter in bouquet by Miss Margaret Ogg. She held on to her seat on the elections to the Caistor RDC. He received just 12 votes. that occasion but lost it to the Tories in 1924 despite a The next was of a meeting addressed by Marcus Kimball in vigorous campaign which included another meeting at 1964 which received considerable coverage in the Rasen Claxby when the bouquet was presented by Roland Bristow. Mail. This was the last reference to any significant national For a brief period from the mid 1920s politics generated political activity in Claxby. enough interest in the village for the setting up of a Liberal By the 1955 general election television was judged to be Association. In October of 1925 the Market Rasen Mail a significant factor but this was probably on a national basis reported on the opening monthly meeting of the Claxby and and, as many rural people didn’t have television, local Normanby Liberal Association. It commented on the great candidates still visited as many villages and towns as they interest in politics in rural areas. On that occasion 34 could. Candidates continued to come to Claxby at election members were present. The impression given by the report times on ‘whistle stop tours’ when they paused for a few was that the Association had been operating for a time and minutes to speak to whoever attended the meeting point. this was the first meeting of a new season. The following This seemed to last until the 1970s by which time it must month 7 new members were enrolled and Miss Bristow have been judged to be ineffectual because subsequently the became honorary secretary. An address was followed by a candidates started to canvas individual homes. musical programme given by the Market Rasen Liberal Local elections did not appear to have attracted the same Association. There are sporadic reports of further monthly level of interest. For much of the century the same member meetings so it is reasonable to assume that the association sat on Caistor Rural District Council for years at a time and was supported to an acceptable level. Indeed in November national political parties did not contest them in the way 1926 the reopening meeting of the Men’s and Women’s they did by the end of the century. At the turn of the Liberal Association attracted 85 people and 10 new century, and until 1908 when he died, Mr G J Young of members were enrolled. The organisers wisely combined the Claxby House represented the parish on the District political discussion with entertainment and refreshments. In Council. He was replaced without competition by Mr J 1927 70 people of whom 40 were paid up members listened Hewitt. Mr Hewitt left the parish in 1914. His replacement to an address on Liberalism Past and Present and later in the is not recorded. In 1924 H L Andrews took on the role. same month 90 members attended a social. Things were still Again there appeared to be no other candidate. In 1931 the going well the following year when with the added attraction Rev Francis Smith took over, only a year after he became the of hearing their local candidate, Mrs Winteringham and Rector. He served until 1944 when Maurice Brant took over possibly rounded up by the ‘energetic local secretary’ Miss for both Normanby and Claxby. He was succeeded by his Bristow, 140 attended a public meeting chaired by that same son Motley. Motley also served on the West Lindsey District secretary. One wonders if it was unusual for such a meeting Council which took over from Caistor RDC and he was the to be chaired by a woman. last representative who lived in one of the two parishes and Clearly these meetings were attracting an audience from although he did face polls he was voted in comfortably. The further afield than just Claxby and Normanby. The next present system may theoretically be more democratic but reported meeting, in January 1929 was chaired by a Mr few now choose to vote. This may be partly because of the Sanderson, whose name appears no where else in the Claxby loss of the close link between the local councillor and his records but 84 people turning out on a winter’s night, constituents although some local representatives have particularly if they travelled any distance, is an extraordinary attended parish council meetings regularly.

76 12 CLAXBY IN THE TWO WORLD WARS

The First World War which had such a profound impact £25 was collected. nationally had a less immediate effect in Claxby than in The school was affected by the war beyond the many urban areas. This was probably the case in many rural commemoration of past victories. In November 1915 the villages The only precursor event to give an indication of the headteacher Miss Canty left to take charge of Holton le changes the war was to bring was a demonstration by Moor school where the headmaster had joined the army. Lincolnshire’s first and at the time only aviator who gave a Fortunately Miss Alice Canty was available to take over and flying exhibition at Market Rasen in 1913. The Market another sister Miss M H Canty became assistant mistress. Rasen Mail reported the signing of the proclamation of war Under their leadership patriotism continued to be in August 1914. encouraged in the school. On May 24th 1916 the Head In the 1914-18 war the government tried to avoid Teacher gave an address on Empire Day and the children conscription and in the first eighteen months to two years of saluted the British flag and sang the National Anthem. the war an extraordinary level of patriotism at a national Later that year the realities of war were brought home to level encouraged by considerable advertising prompted large all the village by the ‘Great Zeppelin Air Raid.’ The Market numbers of young men to volunteer. Locally this Rasen Mail said that ‘a large number saw and heard for the propaganda had a limited effect. The Mail reported that the first time one or more of these monster airships which may Market Rasen area responded badly to Lord Kitchener’s impress the importance of absolute darkness at night’. appeal for troops. Claxby appeared to have had three, Reminiscing forty years later about his wedding day, Mr W possibly four men volunteer. After 1916 conscription was C Bristow said ‘up to that time we had had no blackout and introduced and a nation-wide system of tribunals was set up life was going on much as usual in villages like Claxby. We to grant exemptions for important war work. Two Claxby had a lot of people in for the wedding but we weren’t having men were reported as having appeared before such a a honeymoon owing to the war. Every thing was going tribunal, one had his call up deferred for some months, the beautifully then there was a tap on the window and someone other’s application for exemption was refused. The village said ‘The Zepps are here’. Most of the wedding guests also responded by subscribing to the Prince of Wales Relief immediately dispersed. Nobody quite knew what was going Fund via the Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist Chapels. to happen. A huge Zeppelin could be seen flying low over There was some evidence of heightened patriotism in the Normanby hill making for Scunthorpe. The vibration set village. The school log book reports that on 21st October up by the engines was terrific. The actual danger was 1914 there was a lesson to all scholars on Trafalgar Day and nothing like so great as in the bomber raids in the last war Rule Britannia was sung. but it was so new to us to have the enemy overhead and we The village’s concerns at this time were prompted by the didn’t know where or when the bombs were going to fall. So condition of Belgian refugees some of whom were living in far as we heard only one bomb was dropped.’ This was the the Caistor area. In February 1915 seven guineas was raised last day on which the Claxby church bells were rung after for the Belgian Relief Fund which was ‘a record for any local nightfall until the end of the war. A ban was placed on gathering of a like nature and members of the Claxby bellringing so that the Zepps might not be guided by the District of the National Deposit Friendly Society are to be bells to any possible target. congratulated’. In fact Claxby’s contribution was sent to In a more mundane manner the pressures of war were York. Whether any of it returned to Lincolnshire is not emphasised by the first mention in the school log book in recorded. October 1916 of a holiday specifically to allow the children In April of the same year the village held a Patriotic to help with the potato harvest. Even at that time the Entertainment for the Soldiers and Sailors Fund. It started country relied on imports for a significant proportion of its with the Belgian Anthem and ended with the National food and a considerable expansion of agriculture had been Anthem and five guineas was raised. The village had required to feed the nation. Although children must have previously raised £10 for comforts for soldiers and sailors helped with both the grain and potato harvest before 1916 and ‘local ladies have had a busy time making socks, shirts it had clearly become a national economic necessity by the etc’. In addition the collecting box in Mr Shepherd’s shop middle of the war. These holidays continued through the was opened and money sent to Private Thorpe of the 2nd interwar years and well into the 1950s. In 1917 five Lincolnshire Regiment and Private Clark of the 1st Lincolns children were ‘allowed in the interests of the National ‘to be shared among their many chums’. Chums was a Service to go and weed corn’. In 1918 the whole school familiar term of the time. There was a regiment drawn from closed for this work and on September 23rd the log book Grimsby called the Grimsby Chums. Like the more famous records that the school closed at 11.10am ‘so that the Accrington Pals it was a way of encouraging recruitment by children might gather blackberries for H M Troops’. allowing men to join up in groups of friends, neighbours Early in 1917 another social and sale was held and and workmates. By December the village had organised £40 2s 7d was raised to send to the ‘boys who have gone out another fund raising event, a social and sale. Mr Nettleship of Claxby, Normanby and Usselby’. Normanby and Claxby the Market Rasen auctioneer sold vegetables, apples, rabbits, had also formed a War Savings Association in December ducks, chickens, turkeys, a pig, honey and jam for the Red 1916 and its first report in March 1917 said that during the Cross and for comforts for the Lincolnshire Regiments. The first two weeks the Association had been in existence £20 participants were from Claxby, Normanby and Usselby and had been subscribed and that there was a membership of one

77 hundred and thirty. The secretary, Miss Alice Canty particular family were living in the village at the time. A received subscriptions every Monday between 3pm and 4pm little more research could resolve this puzzle and perhaps and between 7pm and 8pm at the School. Miss Canty was these brave men should be formally commemorated in the also involved in the Women’s War Labour Committee and village. was away from time to time. In addition in 1917 Gladys The Second World War had been rather more anticipated Bristow was organising the local end of the National Egg than the first although the country was still not ready to Collection and the school despatched ten packages of fruit fight. In September 1938 the Market Rasen Mail welcomed and vegetables to the fleet. the building of Binbrook aerodrome; in October a leading Matters carried on much the same in 1918. Miss Bristow article told of strained nerves and stresses in London, collected eighty seven eggs and 15/6d in January and the Munich and Prague and recorded the arrival of 54,000 gas War Savings Association contributed a further £14 4 6d in masks. In Claxby four newly appointed air raid wardens, W February. Also in February a whist drive raised £13 1 5d for C Bristow, R Drakes, S Dalton and J Waters completed their comforts for the soldiers. In June the newly formed WI ten weeks course in Caistor with 100% attendance and discussed how to set up a fruit and vegetable depot for the passed the examination By January 1939 navy. In August the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of aerodrome was under construction and Caistor RDC was war was commemorated by a united service at St Mary’s. In complaining about the requirement to accommodate 6,000 November the Armistice was declared and no doubt the civilians with 3 days notice. They quickly found that the village breathed a sigh of relief and waited for everything to villages were ready to receive refugee children in an return to ‘normal’. However disruption to life must have emergency. In April the Mail was reporting weekly on the continued. Although Miss Bristow closed her egg collection international situation and no doubt the wireless was doing with thanks to everyone, there were still shortages, notably likewise. In May 63 aeroplanes were seen over Market of coal. The school closed for a week at the end of January Rasen, and could presumably be seen at Claxby as well, and for a further week in March 1919 because there was no rehearsing for Empire Day. They comprised 3 squadrons of coal and it was with great relief that the head teacher Supermarine Spitfires, 2 of Hurricanes and 2 Blenheim recorded in the school log book that one and a half tons of bombers. Binbrook was ready for handover to the RAF in coal were to be stored for future use. Thus Claxby weathered July. In September, with hostilities begun by Germany the First World War. It did not forget. The school against Poland, 1,000 evacuees were expected in the area the suspended its lessons at 11am on 11th November 1919 and following day. The school reopened after the summer in the years thereafter for ‘Silence and Remembrance after which was sung the Victory Hymn, Jesus shall reign where ere the sun and the National Anthem’. It is difficult to confirm who enlisted from Claxby and who may have died in the war. There is no First World War memorial in the village and there is no recollection of villagers participating in or more especially dying on active service but the Rasen Mail does record the two volunteers already mentioned above. In addition a Mrs West of Osgodby was informed of the death of her husband in August 1916. He had enlisted from Claxby. In 1918 the Market Rasen Mail reported on the death of Private Chapman of the 10th West Yorks Regiment who died of wounds in France aged 29. Research in the parish registers Evacuees at Maultby’s Farmhouse indicated a poignant story. On 5 January 1916 Fred Chapman, labourer of Claxby married Ellen Markham of holidays with 25 local children and 15 evacuees mainly from Acre House Cottages. His brother had married Nellie’s sister Leeds together with two of their own teachers. It must have some two years earlier. He had worked for Mr Byron at been a confusing time for everyone. The two Leeds teachers Normanby and joined up in March 1916. He was to stay were sent back home within the week and in October alive in France for twenty one months. In 1922 an In another one arrived. One child returned to Leeds in Memoriam notice appeared in the Market Rasen Mail for November and shutters for the school windows arrived. Private F Chapman of Claxby. In addition there may have There is little recollection of these children in the village so been a regular soldier from Claxby who died early in the war. it may be that they didn’t stay very long. We know that the Company Quartermaster Sergeant George Fred Munday Sharps had one boy, the Maultbys at Valley Farm had two, (Mumby/Mundy)7674 of the 1st Battalion Lincolnshire possibly three, and the Brants also helped accommodate Regiment, born in Claxby, enlisted at Lincoln, acting QMS them. Frank Maultby at Corner House took in the teacher. was killed aged 32. He was the son of the late Fred David The children must have been so disorientated. Imagine and Elizabeth Munday of Claxby. His death is recorded on them arriving from a large industrial city probably from a the Menin Gate and an In Memoriam Notice was printed in poor area but with street lighting, with electricity, water, and the Market Rasen Mail on 11 December 1915 by his sisters sewage facilities and buses or trams only to be faced with a Blanche and Sylvia and his nieces Lizzie and Mabel. small backward village with few houses connected to Unfortunately research has not yet confirmed that this electricity, poor water supplies, no sewage and no shops to

78 speak of or any large buildings and virtually no transport, in the pig and bee keeping at the local secondary schools. and most importantly without their family. However by The Secondary School in Market Rasen had a very successful November they were being initiated into some of the rural beekeeping organisation which paid out up to 200% on its customs. The school log book recorded that the children shares. It continued until well after the war and members of were taken to a meet of the hounds reporting that ‘they have the organisation broadcast on the BBC. Its pig keeping not seen it before’; they probably hadn’t seen a field before operation was still running in the 1960s. Meat was very coming to Claxby. short. Rural people had some advantage over townsmen and Life changed much more quickly than in the First World women because they had access to rabbits and game however War. In October and November 1939 petrol restrictions illicitly. Vegetarianism was not common at the time and were introduced and ration cards issued. Bureaucracy and many housewives had problems in making meals with the regulation increased. In addition to ration books, maximum provisions available. The government came up with Lord prices were established for basic foodstuffs and the rules Woolton’s Pie, made in central kitchens across the country governing these could be complicated. They continued until and available off ration. It was apparently quite popular and well after the war finished. In 1949 Edward Wordley of was distributed from Caistor for sale in the surrounding Claxby was charged with making an unreasonable charge for villages. milk. He was alleged to have charged a halfpenny too much The ingredients were: for priority milk for consumption by children under five. As 1lb potato 1lb cauliflower the milk cost the complainant 2d he was charging an extra 1lb carrots 1lb turnip 25%. The magistrates declared the case not proven but it Tsp veg extract rolled oats demonstrates the draconian and detailed regulations people had coped with during the war. All topped with potato pastry or sometimes with cheese In 1940 Miss Drayton and Miss Bristow had Public or ordinary pastry. Service Vehicle licences, to drive Bristows coaches in the Wedding plans had to be curtailed and Sidney Dalton of absence of the three Bristow boys who joined up. In Claxby and Kathleen Curtis of Market Rasen couldn’t have addition to the Bristow boys, one of whom was to die at a honeymoon because travel was difficult so went straight to Monte Cassino in Italy other young men and women from their new home in Claxby. Life must have continued despite the village joined the forces. Their names are given at the the shortages, the blackout and the increasing scarcity of end of the chapter. Three were to die, Albert Arliss, Alan labour as conscription bit ever harder. It would have been Bristow and Roy Wilson. drab and worrying, especially if a family had a father or The village quietly resumed the collection of money for children in the forces. For skilled farmworkers who were comforts for the troops and a Claxby and Normanby exempted from the call up life may have been improving. In Knitting Party was established. It met fortnightly and by 1940 the Mail’s leader commented that ‘war can have December 1940 had sent parcels to ‘all our local boys incidental benefits and that it was excellent that the farm serving’. The village would also have helped with worker should share in the amenities of the townsman and Normanby’s Spitfire Shoot organised by Mr Brant and Mr that their pay had now increased’. Cade to raise money for the Market Rasen Spitfire Fund. In 1943 a disaster occurred. Raymond Wilson aged 13 The shoot covered 1600 acres; 30 guns paid £93 for the and his friend Edgar Roach were out after tea playing on right to take part and a whipround increased the total to land near to Grange Farm. According to Edgar they found £100. In 1941 the ARP patrol needed funds and held a a ‘queer shaped thing with two tapes attached, lying on the whist drive which raised £10 15 6d. The ARP had taken ground’. They pulled the tapes and the ‘thing’ probably a over the WI Rooms so the Women’s Institute was suspended grenade exploded, killing Raymond and injuring Edgar. He for the duration. managed to run back to the Terrace and told his tale to Mr As in the First War there was a great preoccupation with Maultby and had his wounds bound by Mrs A Sharp. growing enough food for both local people and for the Raymond is buried in St Mary’s churchyard. The Home country as a whole. Although there was no comprehensive Guard had a range on part of Grange Farm which had been call up among agricultural workers, labour was scarce. The abandoned in the depression. This site was chosen for a big school children were given an extra holiday to help with tactical Home Guard exercise. The start was the message potato planting in May 1941. This difficulty generated a ‘German parachutists have landed at point XYZ. They have locally developed potato planter which was demonstrated taken up a strong position at the foot of the Wolds. Send the following year. The labour situation on the farms had reinforcements’ This was the signal for Home Guard not improved in 1942 when children were helping with beet detachments from the surrounding area to arrive by bus at singling during specially arranged holidays. In August, Girl the Caistor/Brigg road fork, jump out and set off in battle Guides were thistling on the cliffs for Mr Brant. Apparently formation. The Mail’s reporter had a hard time keeping up the men didn’t like the job but the girls enjoyed it. The with them. A Bren gun carrier went past indicating that the villagers who would have always grown vegetables no doubt military were joining in. Mortars and smoke shells were redoubled their efforts. Canada and the USA gave vegetable fired, rifles and machine guns were all using live seeds and they were distributed by the WI. North American ammunition. The only interruption came when the smoke beans, cabbages, leeks and potatoes could well have been shells set fire to the surrounding heath. All firing stopped, growing in Claxby gardens. Many in the village also kept a everyone helped to put the fire out. Then the war resumed. pig or two. Some of the children would have been involved Despite the sadness everyone felt over Raymond’s death only

79 two months before, no doubt many from the village were Reverend Austin Lee caused controversy by refusing to hold out watching the action. For understandable reasons, the another Thanksgiving service for the sudden end to the war. public was not invited but there was apparently no attempt This must refer to the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima at secrecy, only a requirement to stay out of harm’s way. and Nagasaki and must have been one of the earliest anti In the same month as the Home Guard exercise, Claxby atom bomb protests. The Mail does not report on the and Normanby raised the astonishing sum of £3,449 in the attitude of the village although the Rev Lee said he was Wings appeal to build more aircraft. Only one event was surprised by the number who agreed with him. In reported, a whist drive. There must have been a huge effort November the poppy appeal made £10. to raise such a sum. Previously the two villages had The war still impinged heavily on the village in 1946 contributed £1200 to a warship appeal. Fund raising also although the concerns were changing. More efforts went continued for the less glamorous needs of wartime. £4 8s into the Welcome Home Fund. A total of £153 10s was was raised for the Army Benevolent Fund at a whist drive in raised, £8 for each of the nineteen boys and girls who served April, £60 was made at a fete in Normanby for the Red in the forces in the War. By this time it appeared that all but Cross and £37 10s for the comforts fund for those from one had come home. The one was Quartermaster Sergeant Claxby serving in the forces, at a sale of work in October. George Slater who sent back his Welcome Home Fund The report added that everyone in the village contributed cheque to be given to the Army Benevolent Fund saying that something and £2 10s was given to each serving man and he was stationed with his wife in Tripoli where there was a woman. wide variety of goods available and no requirement for There were many airfields in Lincolnshire and there were coupons or points. a number of occasions when aircraft leaving or more often The village had lost many of its footpaths during the war returning to their home base failed to make it. It happened when food production was paramount but in 1946 the a number of times around Normanby but the only aircraft Parish Council was already pressing for them to be that came down near Claxby was on 11 May 1944 when a reinstated. P38 lightning based at Goxhill crashed about 100 yards VE Day, in June 1946 was celebrated with a service in the north of the railway station. parish church followed by a united service in the Wesleyan There were by 1945 some thousands of prisoners of war Chapel where the church sidesman was the organist. A at various camps in the district. Some were used on local grand tea was served including an unlimited supply of ice farms. The Italian POWs, who had a camp on the edge of cream and three large pieces of home cured ham. Sports had Osgodby Woods, seem to have been allowed quite a bit of been planned but the weather was too bad so everyone freedom and gathered in Brigg and Market Rasen. There gathered at the school for a social evening. were a number of complaints from women who were The Home Guard range at Grange Farm caused problems unwilling to go unescorted after dark. What did the women long after the war. Trevor Lyle had to call in the Army Bomb of Claxby make of this? They would have had to pass the Disposal Unit on a regular basis from 1965 when he took camp on their way home from Market Rasen. over the farm until the early 1970s. The most memorable By this time, 1945, most people would have felt that the occasion was in 1967/8 when the tractor driver came back to war must be nearly over but they did not slacken in their the farm very white in the face because his tractor had efforts to support the voluntary organisations. In April a sale turned up a mortar. The men who carried out the removal raised £70 for the Red Cross, the largest sum made at such and disposal were ex POWs, or displaced persons who an event for thirty years. In May a series of collections walked the fields with handheld metal detectors. Carrying contributed around £50 for the Welcome Home Fund and out this type of work was a condition of them being allowed Claxby was one of a number of villages that contributed to remain in the country. Much of the ordnance found was blood for field hospitals in Germany. A thanksgiving service blank but as there was always the chance that one would be in the same month was well attended but in August the live great care was taken.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Died as a result of injuries received Served and returned safely 1939 - 1945

1914-1918 D R Bristow E Roach J S Bristow J Robinson WAAF F Chapman G Bycroft C Saunby G Munday W Dalton J B Sharp H Fieldsend G Slater 1939-1945 C T Hewson M E H Smith ATS S L Hewson WAAF N Surfleet Albert Arliss G R Ogg M A Wressell ATS Alan Bristow Roy Wilson

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